New Delhi on high alert ahead of CJP's Jantar Mantar protest

Indian authorities have thrown a security blanket over New Delhi ahead of a protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), deploying more than 25,000 police and CRPF personnel, installing over 300 cameras and preparing 12 temporary detention centres across the capital. The measures came into force from midnight on Friday.

The CJP has announced a 'grand gathering and protest' at Jantar Mantar today, October 10, demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. To stop people from the capital, its surrounding areas and other states from joining the programme, all 45 metro stations in New Delhi have been closed and 250 trains cancelled.

Mobile internet services were shut down in Jantar Mantar and a 4-kilometre area around it around 10pm on Friday to prevent the protests from spreading. Delhi Police said the suspension will remain in force in Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas until 10pm today.

Citing administrative rules, past deterioration in law and order, the huge crowd and possible disruption to security and traffic movement, Delhi Police had already rejected CJP's application for permission for the protest. However, the situation does not appear to suggest that the programme can be suppressed any time soon.

Ahead of the possible protest, Secretary of the central government's Ministry of Home Affairs, Govind Mohan, wrote to the police chiefs of all states and union territories on Friday, asking them to maintain coordination with Delhi Police and take necessary steps to maintain law and order. The letter, citing intelligence sources, said CJP members and supporters may try to enter Delhi despite not having permission. Police forces, intelligence agencies and border monitoring authorities have been asked to coordinate with Delhi Police and continue exchanging information.

Security has also been strengthened in the border areas of New Delhi, with increased surveillance and searches of vehicles entering the capital. As a precautionary measure, orders have been given to keep liquor shops and bars closed in Delhi today.

Police are also keeping a strict watch on efforts to organise people ahead of the protest. Online posts and messages related to the proposed gathering are being scrutinised, and according to reports, more than 200 content creators are under police surveillance.

The area within a radius of about 1.5 kilometres around Jantar Mantar, Janpath, the Election Commission and the Delhi Police headquarters has been identified as a highly sensitive zone, where more than 6,500 security personnel are expected to be deployed. At least seven layers of barricades have been set up on the roads leading to Jantar Mantar, and the New Delhi district has been divided into more than 20 zones.

More than 120 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed to assist Delhi Police. CRPF personnel have been stationed at strategic locations, and mock drills have been conducted at multiple sites to test preparedness. Loudspeakers have been set up at sensitive locations to inform people that the protest has not been permitted, and to urge them to refrain from unauthorised gatherings, damage to public property and violence.