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India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Delhi is bracing for a possible gathering of protesters at Jantar Mantar on Friday (October 2), with police stepping up security and putting up barricades across parts of Lutyens’ Delhi. The Delhi Police has said that no organisation has been given permission to hold a protest against the Election Commission at the site this week.
The security arrangements come amid plans by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the student wing of CPI(ML) Liberation, to hold a protest seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The group has raised allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Security is heightened with barricades around Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as police deny permission for planned protests by AISA and the Indian Youth Congress against the Chief Election Commissioner concerning electoral roll irregularities.
The Indian Youth Congress has also approached the authorities seeking permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. Police said permission was not granted.
Even without permission, police are preparing for a sizeable turnout. Senior officers have said they expect a large number of people could reach Jantar Mantar and have sought additional forces from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The preparations are already visible on the roads leading to the protest site. Multi-layer barricades have been placed along Tolstoy Marg, Janpath Road and Sansad Marg. Jantar Mantar has been blocked from both the Tolstoy Marg and Kerala Bhawan sides, while barricading has also been put up near Ashoka Road.
The security measures come at a time when the INDIA bloc has announced “Save Democracy” marches across the country from October 2 to 8. The alliance has called for participation from the public, young people and others who support its campaign on democracy and unity.
Traffic likely to be affected
For people travelling through Central Delhi on October 2, the security arrangements could mean diversions and longer travel times.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory covering Jantar Mantar and several nearby roads, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, GPO, Tolstoy Marg, Parliament Street and Ashoka Road.
Traffic moving from Connaught Place towards Patel Chowk may be diverted, while vehicles travelling from Patel Chowk towards GPO could also face diversions or regulated movement. Traffic on Tolstoy Marg and Jantar Mantar Road will be monitored and diverted wherever necessary.
The traffic police has advised commuters to stay away from Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road and surrounding roads unless necessary. Those travelling towards Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, GPO, Parliament Street and other parts of Central Delhi have been asked to leave early and keep extra time for their journeys.
Motorists have also been warned against stopping or parking along the affected stretches, as parked vehicles could add to congestion.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) will remain applicable in the specified areas under orders of the competent authority. Police have asked commuters to follow diversion signs and instructions from personnel deployed on the ground.
