'Cockroach Party' protesters vow to return after hundreds detained in Delhi
Chaos erupts in India's capital New Delhi as police detained hundreds of protesters during demonstrations over the Election Commission's move to drop some 130 million names from the voter list.
In New Delhi, India, hundreds of protesters from the Cockroach Party have been detained by police as they rally against the Election Commission's decision to remove approximately 130 million names from the voter list. The protests occurred following the Commission's move, which critics claim disproportionately benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The demonstrators, organized by the youth movement, are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police and paramilitary forces enforced a lockdown, closing nearly 45 metro stations and cancelling over 240 trains to New Delhi and Nizamuddin railway stations. Internet connectivity was cut around the protest site, and anyone attempting to reach the location was detained.
Protesters, including journalists and lawyers, reported violent detentions and lack of female officers during the arrests. The UN Human Rights spokesperson expressed concern over the mass detentions and called for the right to peaceful assembly to be respected. About 130 million voters were removed, which is more than four times the population of Australia.
Demonstrators remain committed to returning and fighting for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and the protection of democracy in India.
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