Security has been tightened around Sansad Marg, Ashoka Road, Janpath Road and other parts of central Delhi ahead of the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)’s protest for a third day on Thursday against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police have deployed around 5,000 personnel and barricaded roads. The government has also approved the deployment of additional central paramilitary forces in Delhi.
Police said they have scanned footage from 150 body cameras worn during the protest and found footage of their personnel being targeted. HT reported the Union home ministry approved the deployment of 110 central paramilitary force companies in Delhi from October 8 to 12. As many as 111 companies have already been deployed. The Central Reserve Police Force will provide the largest contingent, with 85 companies. The show of strength by 13 parties was part of the Opposition’s plan to mount pressure on Kumar, days after an Indian Express investigation said election commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded written dissents and objections at least 14 times between November 2025 and August 2026 and even wrote to the cabinet secretary.
It was reported that election officials found their access to the ECI software curtailed by the central IT team. The Opposition has hit the streets of the national capital since Tuesday. Congress leaders alleged that their lawmakers and workers were dragged, thrashed and shoved into buses, resulting in injuries. The deployment of seven companies of its specialised anti-riot unit, the Rapid Action Force (RAF), has also been approved.
The Le Meridien roundabout, where protesters gathered on Wednesday, was also being covered as part of the security arrangements. Officials said police had little time to make arrangements around the roundabout on Wednesday as the protest was largely impromptu. The deployment has now been strengthened in anticipation of a larger gathering on Thursday. On Wednesday, Opposition lawmakers protested for over three hours, bringing central Delhi to a halt to push for Kumar’s resignation. Police on Tuesday registered a case against Congress leaders for entering the headquarters of the All India Radio while trying to march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) office. On Wednesday, police alleged that some Congress leaders manhandled women police personnel, bit male staff and attacked other personnel during the protest.
