Agencies | New Delhi:
The Delhi Police on Thursday appealed to citizens to refrain from participating in a gathering proposed by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday, October 16, citing law and order concerns and the imposition of prohibitory orders in the area.
In a statement, DCP Neha Yadav said the CJP had appealed on social media for people to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm carrying the national flag. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had also reportedly urged its workers and supporters to join the gathering.
The police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were already in force in Connaught Place and adjoining areas to maintain peace and protect human lives and public and private property.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has informed the police that Central Park will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons. The civic body has also requested the police to prevent anti-social elements from entering the area during this period.
The proposed gathering has been called by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke to protest the arrests of party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to five days of judicial custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar.
The police said local traders had expressed concern over possible damage to shops and other properties, particularly during the festive season, and urged the public to avoid gatherings in areas where prohibitory orders are in force.
“If a specific group wishes to hoist the national flag and sing the national anthem, we may designate a specific location for them,” the police said, adding that all prescribed protocols for hoisting the national flag would have to be followed.
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court declined to restrain the proposed protest at Central Park. However, it recorded the Delhi Police’s assurance that all possible steps under the law would be taken to regulate and control the gathering. The hearing followed concerns raised by a Connaught Place vendor over the potential impact of the protest on traders and businesses.
The proposed gathering comes days after a CJP-led protest on October 10, when thousands of people were detained across Delhi as demonstrators attempted to reach Jantar Mantar. The protest was directed against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and included demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The police said the planned tricolour march was announced on social media on Wednesday and reiterated their appeal for people to cooperate with the authorities to maintain peace and prevent disruption in Connaught Place.
