CJP protest | A city sealed off: Empty roads, barricades and detained protesters

New Delhi looked like a war zone at dawn on Saturday. Checkpoints lined the streets every 200 meters, paramilitary troops and riot-control vehicles patrolled the area. The usual bustle of traffic had vanished as security forces prepared for the CJP protest, which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This protest contrasted sharply with the previous 'Sansad Chalo' march, where protesters freely navigated Parliament Street.

By mid-morning, more than 3,000 security personnel had been deployed around Parliament Street alone. Barricades stretched across major roads leading to Jantar Mantar, including Ashoka Road, Minto Road, Mandi House, Kasturba Gandhi Road, and Barakhamba Road. Only two to three vehicles were allowed on each road at any given time. Detainees were crammed into orange DTC buses and larger private buses, which stood ready to transport them to holding facilities.

Police had already detained around 250-300 protesters near Connaught Place by 9 am, including those hiding in public toilets and Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. Journalists faced restrictions, with many digital media organizations finding their identity cards rejected. Loudspeakers issued warnings to media personnel, urging them not to interfere with the police or protesters.

Over 1,500 women Delhi Police personnel were part of the security force, alongside five additional companies of women paramilitary personnel. Women officers marched alongside protesters and manned barricades. One video showed CJP founder Abhijit Dipke being detained from an aircraft by three women police personnel. Additional security measures included the wearing of body cameras by several police personnel.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta criticized the planned protest, accusing the Opposition and protesters of disrupting public life. She questioned the political ambitions of the CJP and warned that turning Delhi into an arena would not be tolerated.