INDIA Bloc Rally Live: INDIA bloc to beseige Ramlila Maidan in anti-CEC fight, cops on high alert

INDIA Bloc Ramlila Maidan Rally: Over 200 CCTV cameras keep venue under watch

Delhi Police have deployed 200 to 250 CCTV cameras across Ramlila Maidan to monitor security arrangements for the INDIA bloc rally, DCP Central Rohit Rajbir said. He added that the police are coordinating with the organisers, who have set up their own control room, to ensure security at the venue.

The organisers have created multiple enclosures, with police personnel deployed inside them and along the pathways connecting them. Volunteers from the Seva Dal, Civil Defence Committee and local residents' associations are also assisting the police with security and crowd management on surrounding roads, Rajbir said.

He said participants began arriving at the venue as early as 5.30 am, with police facilitating their entry while ensuring that local residents face no inconvenience. Arrangements have also been made at the venue, while a separate traffic and security plan is in place for the march scheduled to take place in a few hours.

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) had urged Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi to seek postponement of Sunday's rally until after Diwali, warning that traffic restrictions could hit business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across nearly 20 major Delhi markets.

Responding to traders' concerns, Rahul Gandhi urged people attending the protest to also shop at local stores during the festive season. "Tomorrow, along with protesting, marching and attending the rally, do a little shopping too. It will help our local traders," he wrote on X, referring to Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj. He also dismissed concerns over business disruption, accusing the BJP of spreading rumours out of fear of the rally.

Delhi Police has drawn up extensive security arrangements, with more than 4,000 police personnel and companies of the Central Armed Police Forces set to be deployed along the march route and at Ramlila Maidan.

The venue has been divided into 14 security zones, each supervised by an assistant commissioner-rank officer. More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will monitor the gathering, while a control room has been set up inside the ground.

Traffic restrictions will remain in force across parts of Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm on Sunday. Diversions are planned around ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate as security arrangements are put in place for the march and rally.

While organisers have indicated that the rally could draw up to 10 lakh people, Delhi Police estimates a turnout of around 50,000. Officials said Ramlila Maidan can accommodate 45,000-50,000 people when empty, but its effective capacity could fall to 30,000-40,000 after accounting for chairs, enclosures and passageways. Additional space will be kept available to manage any crowd spillover.

The rally has also received backing from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led outfit founded by Abhijeet Dipke, along with student organisations. The INDIA bloc has appealed to students, young people, women, workers and civil society representatives to join the demonstration.

The mobilisation, being held under the banner of 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao', will begin with a march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan at noon. A rally will follow at the venue, with proceedings scheduled between 10 am and 5 pm.

Senior INDIA bloc leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to the march's starting point.

The INDIA bloc is preparing for a major show of strength at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1. Opposition leaders, party workers, student groups and civil society representatives are expected to gather to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.