Delhi Police strict on Parliament march, ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ unlikely to get permission; Questions raised on hunger strike also

New Delhi. Delhi Police has adopted a tough stance regarding the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march proposed on July 20 in the capital Delhi. Police officers say that the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) will not be allowed to march till Parliament. Besides, the ongoing indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar has also been termed as a continued protest without permission and is against the rules.

Reference to law and order on Parliament march

According to senior Delhi Police officials, the Parliament area is a high security area and the security arrangements may be affected due to the arrival of a large number of protesters there. Officials say that this could disrupt traffic as well as worsen the law and order situation. The police have clarified that if the protesters try to march towards Parliament, necessary legal action will be taken and they can also be detained if necessary.

Permission to protest was given for only one day

Police say that CJP was given permission to protest only for one day at Jantar Mantar. The concerned organizers had also given written consent to this condition. According to officials, after this no new application was given to continue the demonstration or organize the Parliament march.

A senior official said that the organization’s representative Abhijit Deepke did not seek formal permission for the Parliament march, hence both the current demonstration and the proposed march cannot be considered in accordance with the rules.

The organization said the police claim was wrong

On the other hand, CJP spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur has disagreed with the police claims. He says that the organization had already informed the police officials about the Parliament march. However, he admitted that this information was given during a face-to-face conversation rather than through a written application. They allege that the police were already not in favor of granting permission for the march.

Security increased at Jantar Mantar

In view of the situation, security arrangements have been strengthened in Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas. The police have also deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF) along with a large number of soldiers there. According to officials, around 200 security personnel will be deployed during the weekend, while additional police and paramilitary forces will also be deployed in view of Monday’s proposed march.

Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital during hunger strike

Ladakh-based social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike over alleged irregularities in national examinations and other issues, was removed from the protest site early Saturday and taken to Safdarjung Hospital.

New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma said that this step was taken on the basis of the instructions of the Delhi High Court and the advice of doctors. According to him, considering Wangchuk’s health condition, it was necessary to take him to the hospital. The police also appealed to other protesters to vacate the protest site.

Police rejected allegations of misconduct

Delhi Police has completely denied the allegations of assault and disconnection of power supply made by the protesters. Police officials say that the entire action was taken peacefully and in accordance with medical advice. They claim that Wangchuk was taken to the hospital due to fear of severe dehydration and other unwell protesters were also provided necessary assistance.

Strategic meetings held at police headquarters

According to sources, new Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar held several rounds of meetings with senior officials regarding the situation of the protests. In these meetings, security arrangements, maintenance of law and order and strategy for necessary action at the protest site were discussed. After this, necessary instructions were issued to the concerned authorities, under which Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital in the early hours of Saturday.