The Union home ministry has extended the deployment of nearly 27,000 paramilitary personnel in Delhi till October 20 amid the raging protests against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar by Opposition parties, civil rights groups and the Cockroach Janta Party.
Last week, the Centre deployed over 50,000 security personnel, including 25,000 policemen, in the capital ahead of the protests called by the CJP at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Over the past few days, the government has prevented CJP, student and Opposition demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar by activating a security lockdown marked by mass detentions, heavy barricading and assault on protesters, including women.
As many as 15,000 paramilitary personnel were airlifted from Bengal and sensitive zones to join the 12,000 already deployed in Delhi since the first wave of the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in July over exam paper leaks.
Sources said the Delhi Police, which reports to the Union home ministry, had sought the extension of the deployment of 273 companies of central armed police forces (CAPFs), which was scheduled to end on Monday, until October 20, citing the possibility of more protests.
“The home ministry has given the permission for the extended deployment,” a ministry official said on Tuesday.
On Monday, the Centre denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and announced three new alternative venues farther away from the seat of power — the Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and the CBD Ground.
Sources said intelligence agencies had flagged the possibility of intensified protest at several sensitive locations, including Jantar Mantar, the Election Commission headquarters, Parliament House and India Gate. Demonstrations by the Bhim Army, farmers’ unions, student organisations and multiple political groups are also among the concerns cited by the agencies.
Farmers’ solidarity
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has extended its support to the ongoing protests in Delhi demanding Gyanesh’s resignation and the rollback of the SIR.
The SKM has announced a series of demonstrations across the country on October 23 to express solidarity with the protesters. The decision was taken at a meeting of the farmers’ organisation in Karnal on Monday, attended by farmer leaders and representatives of organisations from several states.
“We extend our support to the youth protests in Delhi. Farmers will hold protests at the district and tehsil levels on October 23 and submit memorandums,” BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said.
He announced that the SKM had planned another protest on November 26. Farmers from the NCR would stage a protest in Delhi that day, while those elsewhere would hold demonstrations at the divisional commissioner level, Tikait said.
“The country will be saved through movements and protests. The country cannot be saved without agitation,” he said, stressing that collective action was necessary to raise public issues and hold the government accountable.
Assaulters feted
Four men linked to the Raksha Dal, who were arrested on Sunday for allegedly assaulting students during the CJP protest in Delhi, were granted bail on Tuesday and garlanded by members of the outfit after their release.
They were arrested after a viral video showed them assaulting young students and pushing and hitting women near DDU Marg in central Delhi in the presence of cops during the agitation.