Delhi has already put its system on a high alert for a big public gathering on Saturday at Jantar Mantar to protest against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has urged its members to join the demonstration and the Centre is mobilising over 20,000 police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) cops to ensure a peaceful and law-abiding environment all around the national capital area. It is not known how many will be there to protest.
However, Delhi Police has so far refused permission for the planned protest, and has put measures in place to prevent unauthorized assemblies. The security measures appear to have seen over 400 people, among them criminals, arrested throughout the city.
Authorities are trying to avoid such violence seen at protests on July 20 because of a controversy over a leak in the national newspaper. Those protest had received an adequate police response and led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan according to the report.
Security has been beefed up at sensitive areas, including Jantar Mantar and the central areas of the city. Officials are concentrating on breaking up any violence and keeping traffic moving, as well as keeping the public “business as usual”.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has faced sharp criticism over his handling of Lokpal issues, and has been called upon to resign, with the much-anticipated demonstration scheduled for Sunday. The CJP is mobilising its supporters to converge in Delhi without any permission from the authorities.
The widespread deployment reflects concerns by the authorities in managing the crowds and about possible incidents during the event. Police has called on people to obey the directives of authorities and refrain from unauthorised rallies.
Security is on high alert and preventive steps are already being taken in the city of Delhi as they await the planned protest.