New Delhi police detain top 'cockroach' leaders after flash protest at Jantar Mantar
India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said on Tuesday that key leaders had been detained after entering an iconic protest site in New Delhi blocked by police. Opposition parties and supporters of the movement have taken to the streets in recent days, defying a security clampdown to demand the resignation of the head of India’s election commission, accusing it of manipulating voter rolls…
On Tuesday, the India-based Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reported that its top leaders were taken into custody after attempting to enter a prominent protest location in New Delhi, which was blocked by police. In recent days, opposition parties and supporters of the CJP have demonstrated in the streets, despite a tightening security presence, to call for the resignation of the head of India's election commission.
They accuse the commission of manipulating voter rolls to favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party. However, the Election Commission of India has denied any wrongdoing.
Delhi Police announced on Monday that Jantar Mantar, situated in the heart of the capital city, had been removed from the list of authorized protest sites. The area was barricaded with yellow metal barriers and secured by a substantial police force. On Tuesday, a video circulated online by CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke depicted protesters bypassing the barricades, venturing into the vacant area, and raising the national flag. Following this, police apprehended them.
CJP spokespersons announced on social media that the detained leaders included Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde. They stated, "All of them have been detained by Delhi Police."
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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