Delhi remained on high alert on Monday as opposition parties planned a march to the Supreme Court against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel got deployed across the capital. Authorities closed six Metro stations and tightened security at borders to prevent any unauthorised public gatherings today.
Delhi remained on high alert for the third consecutive day on Monday, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the capital ahead of an opposition march to the Supreme Court. The protest is aimed at stepping up the agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The security build-up came after protests over the weekend, during which thousands of people, including Cockroach Janta Party leaders and former chief ministers, were detained by police. Opposition parties had announced on October 11 that they would march to the Supreme Court on Monday to demand an end to "vote chori" and the resignation of the chief election commissioner.
Delhi Police said security had been tightened at the city's borders, railway stations, bus terminals and other sensitive locations to prevent unauthorised gatherings and maintain law and order. Police also stepped up vehicle checks at the borders and intensified verification drives at hotels, guest houses, lodges and dharamshalas. Entry and exit gates at six Delhi Metro stations were to remain closed till 4 pm because of the protest.
More than 120 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces are assisting Delhi Police in handling the situation. Officials said the New Delhi district had been divided into 20 zones, with joint commissioners, deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners monitoring developments on the ground. Special commissioners heading different units were also keeping a close watch, while social media platforms were being monitored for attempts to mobilise protesters.
The protests against Kumar come days after a report in The Indian Express said there were internal differences within the Election Commission, with election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recording objections at least 14 times over the last 10 months, including on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. In summary, Delhi stayed under heavy security on Monday as the opposition prepared to march to the Supreme Court against the CEC, following weekend protests and detentions.