Delhi Police detained around 150 people on Friday as the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march drew an estimated 2,000 protesters to Connaught Place despite prohibitory restrictions. the intended venue of the march, remained closed to the public, Delhi Police had earlier said it could facilitate a group of 11 people to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable location While Central Park.
Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and AISA national president Neha Bora were detained earlier in the day, before the planned march could begin.
Dipke was detained shortly before the march’s scheduled 5 pm start. AISA national president Neha Bora was detained in the Mandi House area, where student activists and Left party workers had gathered ahead of the proposed march.
Earlier in the afternoon, police officers visited the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Anish Gawande, where he was staying, and served him a notice directing him not to lead the procession.
Officials said more than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces were deployed for the demonstrations. Police subsequently said they could facilitate 11 people carrying the national flag and singing the national anthem at a suitable spot, while asking others not to gather. They cited the Section 163 restrictions and the absence of permission for a larger procession.
The restrictions were intended to prevent unauthorised gatherings, protect commuters and ensure smooth traffic movement through the busy commercial district, according to police. The confrontation followed days of demonstrations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which protesters allege has led to wrongful deletions of names. They have accused the Election Commission of acting unfairly and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
