Delhi Police have stepped up measures across the city ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s October 10 protest, directing station house officers (SHOs) to monitor protesters with alleged criminal antecedents, track movement of buses headed towards New Delhi district and engage with educational institutions and paying guest (PG) accommodation owners to discourage students from joining the demonstration.
To be sure, police have not yet granted permission for the agitation. “SHOs have been asked to identify and keep track of such people in their respective areas, particularly those who may have a history of serious offences. The directions also include monitoring local bus operators and checking bookings to ascertain who is hiring buses and what is the destination. “They have been asked to keep a watch on bus operators, including bookings being made and the destination. The police have also been asked to speak to heads of universities and colleges in their jurisdictions and urge them to ensure that students do not participate in the protest. Officers have been directed to reach out to PG owners in major student accommodation hubs and ask them to advise students against going to the demonstration.
Senior cops have specifically asked SHOs to keep track of around 2,800 people identified through the Facial Recognition System (FRS) as having criminal antecedents, including their movements and activities, according to police officials aware of the details. Police have been told to establish whether groups are being transported to Delhi – especially towards New Delhi – for the October 10 protest. Officers have, therefore, been asked to maintain heightened surveillance along these routes.
The idea is to know who is moving towards the protest site and from where,” a police officer said seeking anonymity. If there is organised movement of people towards New Delhi, the local police should be aware of it and stop it,” the officer said. The protesters could potentially enter Delhi through three broad routes – the eastern and Shahdara borders with Uttar Pradesh and from the southwest, particularly the Rajasthan side, according to the police. “Barricades will be installed at entry points,” the officer said.
