NEW DELHI: More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s October 10 protest, a senior police officer said on Thursday.The officer said no permission had been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to avoid participating in any unauthorised gathering, news agency PTI reported.“We are well prepared and motivated to handle the law-and-order situation in the city on Saturday. No permission has been granted so far for any protest at Jantar Mantar,” the officer said.The deployment has been made as a precautionary measure to prevent any breach of peace and ensure smooth movement of people and traffic. The officer said prohibitory orders were already in force in the area.“Prohibitory orders are in force, and everyone is requested to follow the law and maintain peace,” the officer said.Police also appealed to protesters and members of the public not to indulge in violence or attack personnel deployed for security duties, PTI reported.“We appeal to everyone to maintain peace and not attack police personnel. Any such act is a crime and strict legal action will be taken against those found involved,” the officer said.Police have issued specific instructions to personnel on handling women protesters and asked them to avoid unnecessary confrontation.Daily briefings are also being conducted to ensure all members of the force are on the same page, the officer said.Police have cautioned people against believing or circulating unverified information on social media or elsewhere, PTI reported.“People should not believe or circulate fake news merely because they have seen something online. They are requested to trust only the official social media handles and verified communication channels of Delhi Police,” the officer said.The Cockroach Janata Party and several student groups have been demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations that he presided over the deletion of lakhs of voters across the country in the name of the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.(With agency inputs)
