New Delhi: Connaught Place was transformed into a virtual fortress on Friday as Delhi Police mounted one of its largest security operations in recent days to pre-empt trouble during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march.
More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, Rapid Action Force vehicles, an expanded CCTV network and boxes of tear gas shells were positioned across the heart of the national capital.
The security cordon extended beyond Connaught Place and Rajiv Chowk to Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens’ Delhi. Personnel were also mobilised from other districts to strengthen the arrangements and prevent any law-and-order situation, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Despite the absence of senior CJP leaders and student union representatives, about 100–150 people gathered outside Central Park and marched while waving the tricolour.
Police placed barricades at multiple points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg. Officials said the emphasis was on guarding entry and exit routes across the sprawling commercial district without halting public movement entirely.
Police officials said another 5,000 personnel had been mobilised from other districts and kept in reserve to bolster the security grid. CCTV coverage in and around the area was also enhanced, with over 10 additional cameras installed.
Delhi Police PRO Neha Yadav said permission for the march had not been granted, while prohibitory orders banning mass gatherings under Section 163 of the BNSS remained in force in the area. She added that trade associations had approached the police seeking protection for their establishments.