Security arrangements remained in place across the Capital on Sunday, for a second consecutive day amid possibility of fresh protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with the Delhi Traffic Police warning of likely disruptions at 30 key points from 6am.
Reeling, the CJP announced a second consecutive day of stirs on Sunday, when the Supreme Court will also hold a special sitting to hear pleas filed against the controversial crackdown. The restrictions, which will be enforced depending on the prevailing situation, are likely to affect several stretches in New Delhi and Central Delhi, including roads around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and key government establishments. Commuters have been advised to avoid non-essential travel and keep additional time in hand, particularly if travelling to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs) and the airport through these areas. Four former chief ministers and the leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) – a satirical movement that forced the resignation of then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan three months ago – were among those detained as police cracked down on students, lawyers and politicians, successfully refusing passage to Jantar Mantar. Yet, sporadic protests bubbled up at different points of the city throughout the day, even as police rushed to smother the stirs. The Opposition – which had brought central Delhi to a halt last week – has already declared fresh protests from Monday.
On Saturday, about 41,000 security personnel turned the Capital into a fortress to thwart a planned protest demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged regularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The forces launched an unprecedented clampdown that saw the detention of 7,000 people and left large chunks of Delhi deserted.
