Thousands detained in New Delhi as police crack down on 'cockroach' movement

India's cockroach movement leader, Abhijeet Dipke, was taken into custody as thousands of protesters flooded into New Delhi on Saturday. This protest marked the climax of months-long opposition efforts following accusations of misconduct during the Indian Election Commission's nationwide voter-roll overhaul. The movement is pushing for the election commissioner's resignation.

Dipke and two other leaders were among those arrested before their flight landed in the capital, with the group claiming they were taken to an undisclosed location. They reportedly lack access to legal counsel and communication with others, according to the statement. Critics argue the voter-roll revision could disenfranchise millions of voters and favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

However, the Election Commission denies misconduct, stating the revision aimed to eliminate duplicate and ineligible voters. A significant security presence has been in place in Delhi since Friday, with tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces deployed to deter those attempting to reach the main protest hub in the city center.

The authorities have shut down numerous metro stations, halted several trains heading to Delhi, and temporarily suspended mobile internet connectivity near the protest location. It was reported that up to 3,000 protesters had been detained, although confirming this figure proved challenging.