CJP questions deployment of security personnel during anti-CEC protests

The Cockroach Janta Party alleged that over 40,000 security personnel had been deployed in Delhi amid protests demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Party leaders criticised restrictions, alleged detentions and phone seizures, and welcomed the Supreme Court’s directions on public movement

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday claimed that security personnel from “Naxal (Maoist)-affected and border areas” had been brought in to enforce restrictions in the national capital to curb protests. The party reiterated its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing a press conference hours after being released by a Delhi court following preventive arrest, CJP co-convener Saurav Das said, “The entire city of Delhi has been turned into a cantonment for the last few days.”

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“Between 30,000 and 40,000 security personnel have been called in. Troops from Naxal-affected areas, Bengal and Kashmir, including BSF personnel from border areas, have been airlifted to Delhi. More than 40,000 personnel have reportedly been deployed, and the city has been placed under heavy restrictions,” he claimed.

“This is creating a major problem. If you want to create a negative atmosphere around protesters and a certain movement, you do not just make things difficult for the protesters; you also create problems for ordinary citizens who may not even be participating in the protest. This creates a negative image of the movement, and that is exactly what is happening in Delhi,” he said.

Das added that the closure of metro stations, suspension of train services connecting Delhi with other States and shutdown of shops were affecting ordinary people.

Noting that Sunday might otherwise have seen more customers visiting shops, he said, “What purpose does shutting shops serve? The government believes this will create a negative atmosphere against the youth and this movement. But they are mistaken because the entire country is watching the brutality being meted out to the youth and the agitators.”

He further alleged that Delhi Police had not issued them formal detention notices and said, “Our phones were seized and might have been hacked to plant evidence.”

Claiming that an atmosphere of fear had been created in the country to save one person, he asked the government, “Why are you saving Gyanesh Kumar? Does he know something about the 2024 elections, or how polls have been conducted in BJP-ruled States?”

Asserting that the CJP would not back down, Das appealed to citizens to join the protests against the CEC.

Meanwhile, CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh welcomed the Supreme Court’s order directing the authorities to ensure the normal functioning of metro and railway services, uninterrupted internet connectivity and the free movement of people in the national capital.

“Whatever the court has said today is a positive step, but we will have to see whether the orders are implemented. Today, those being detained are being assaulted, and their phones are being taken away. Delhi Police does not seem willing to change its approach and continues with the same actions. No matter how many orders the Supreme Court passes, we will not see any change here until they are implemented,” she said.