Delhi Police Deploys 1,400 Additional Personnel as Protesters Gather at Jantar Mantar
On Monday morning, a large group of protesters assembled at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, prompting the Delhi Police to issue an urgent directive to all 14 districts. Each district was instructed to immediately send one Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-rank officer along with 100 police personnel to the area, totaling 1,400 additional officers.
This deployment came despite the presence of 32 companies of paramilitary forces—over 2,000 personnel—already stationed across the New Delhi district as part of security arrangements. The district had been divided into 12 zones to manage the situation.
The Jantar Mantar area has been heavily secured ahead of a planned march to Parliament by protesters demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged leaks in competitive examination question papers. The protest is being organized by a group known as the 'Cockroach Janta Party', a name that has drawn criticism for its derogatory tone.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, was moved to a hospital on Saturday due to health concerns, according to Delhi Police.
As the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on Monday, police have warned protesters against any attempt to march towards the Parliament building. Authorities have urged calm and adherence to legal procedures for public gatherings.
