The detention of CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke ahead of Friday's Tiranga March near Connaught Place has put the organisation's leadership and contingency plans to the test. The CJP says it has an alternative strategy ready if police prevent its leader from reaching the protest venue in Central Delhi
The CJP had called for a Tiranga March at Connaught Place's Central Park at 5 pm, but heavy security arrangements and restrictions on gatherings raised questions about whether its leadership and supporters would be able to reach the venue.
Minutes before Dipke's detention, the CJP told India Today Digital that it had prepared a Plan B, similar to the contingency arrangements made during its October 10 protest.
"If Abhijeet Dipke is detained by the Delhi Police, we will announce our alternative plan," CJP media team official Vijay M told India Today Digital.
Vijay said the alternative plan would also be activated if police attempted to prevent Dipke from reaching Connaught Place, even without formally detaining him.
At the time of the conversation, Vijay said the organisation had no information about Dipke being detained and that the CJP convenor was making every effort to reach the march venue.
Dipke subsequently stepped out of his Karol Bagh residence before being detained by Delhi Police.
SECURITY TIGHTENED AT CONNAUGHT PLACE
Meanwhile, Delhi Police fortified Connaught Place's Inner Circle with barricades and parked buses to prevent protesters from entering Central Park for the planned Tiranga March.
Personnel from Delhi Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed in and around the park.
India Today's Anand Singh reported that security personnel were being mobilised as the scheduled start of the march approached. Senior RAF officers patrolling the area declined to comment on special arrangements, saying Delhi Police was overseeing security.
Small groups of protesters were also seen near Central Park, where police personnel politely asked them to disperse.
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