Activist Sonam on Saturday described the situation in India as an “undeclared emergency” after several political leaders and activists, including former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, were detained in Delhi ahead of a proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Wangchuk warned that he could consider an indefinite fast or a march if those detained were not released by Sunday, October 11. His remarks came amid a major security deployment in the national capital as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The protest was planned to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in voter roll.
“INDIA IN A STATE OF UNDECLARED EMERGENCY… Yesterday when I posted a message appealing for unity & peace in today’s protest I had never imagined that the biggest democracy in the world would be under an undeclared EMERGENCY,” said on X.
He added, “I was happy there were so many leaders to lead the movement, but I now learn that they have all been arrested. I hope those arrested will be released soon. I will be compelled to consider an Anshan Fast or Padyatra March if they are not released by tomorrow.”
Banerjee was detained from South Avenue along with party leaders, including Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen, after police stopped them from proceeding towards the protest venue. Kejriwal was detained outside his residence as he attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar, while Bora was taken into custody near INA Market after marching towards Dilli Haat. They were among several opposition leaders and activists detained.
on Saturday detained more than 3,000 people attempting to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed protest against Kumar.
According to PTI citing sources, the detentions were carried out at various locations across the New Delhi area and other districts of the capital. Police are also deploying drones to track the movement of people heading towards the proposed protest venue.
Those detained included protesters picked up near Regal Cinema, Minto Bridge and Akashwani Bhawan, among other locations.
Ahead of the planned demonstration, police also detained more than 600 people with criminal records across Delhi’s districts as a preventive measure, they said.
The action was intended to prevent individuals with criminal backgrounds from creating law-and-order problems during the proposed gathering, they added.
Police are also monitoring the movements of certain individuals suspected of having the ability to mobilise crowds or encourage people to join the demonstration, according to the them.
As part of the heightened security arrangements, surveillance has been stepped up outside the residences of these individuals, they said.
