'Stay away from protest': Delhi Police warns ahead of CJP's October 16 march

The Delhi Police on Thursday urged people to stay away from the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) proposed 'Lehra do Tiranga' protest at Connaught Place on October 16, warning that prohibitory orders were in force and measures would be taken to maintain law and order. Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav said the CJP had called on citizens to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday and to carry the national flag. On Thursday, the Delhi Police urged the public not to join the protest. They said it could "facilitate a group of 11 persons" to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem "at a suitable place" at Central Park in Connaught Place, as part of the October 16 march call by the Cockroach Janta Party against alleged electoral fraud. She added that the Aam Aadmi Party had also appealed to its workers, supporters and members of the public to join the gathering. The police said Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was in force in Connaught Place and adjoining areas to maintain peace and protect lives and public and private property. "Given the current situation and the law and order concerns, it is hereby informed that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are already in place to maintain peace and tranquillity in Connaught Place and its adjoining areas," Yadav said. The police also said the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had informed them that Central Park would remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for "administrative reasons". The civic body has requested that anti-social elements be prevented from entering the area during this period. Delhi Police offers alternative venue for flag hoisting The police said local traders had expressed concerns about potential damage to shops and property, particularly during the festive season. Officials urged people to avoid participating in gatherings in areas where prohibitory orders were in force. "If a specific group wishes to hoist the national flag and sing the national anthem, we may designate a specific location for them," the police said, adding that all protocols governing the hoisting of the national flag would have to be followed. The appeal came a day after the Delhi High Court declined to restrain the CJP from holding its proposed protest. However, the court recorded the police's assurance that all possible legal measures would be taken to regulate and control the gathering. The hearing followed a plea by a Connaught Place vendor who raised concerns about the potential disruption to businesses and traders during the festive season. The court posted the matter for November 3. Why is CJP planning a protest in Delhi? CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called for the October 16 gathering at Central Park under the slogan 'Lehra do Tiranga', asking people to carry the national flag in protest against the arrests of party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The two leaders were remanded to five days of judicial custody after allegedly entering a restricted property while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as an authorised protest venue. The proposed gathering follows a major CJP-led demonstration in Delhi on October 10 against alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest also called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Thousands of protesters were detained across the capital during the October 10 demonstration, with security restrictions imposed in parts of central Delhi.