200 More Protesters Detained in Connaught Place During March to Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police detained around 200 more protesters in Connaught Place as they attempted to march to Jantar Mantar. Activists allege heavy-handed tactics.
The streets of central Delhi witnessed significant tension on Saturday as Delhi Police detained approximately 200 more protesters in the Connaught Place area. The crackdown occurred as demonstrators attempted to march toward Jantar Mantar, despite authorities stating that no permission had been granted for the protest.
Mass Detentions and Security Zones
The latest wave of arrests follows an earlier round of detentions where nearly 500 individuals arriving in various groups across the capital were picked up by the police. To manage the scale of the operation, officials revealed that the New Delhi district was divided into 20 operational zones, each with its own dedicated detention centre. In a massive logistical move, several stadiums across the national capital have also been converted into temporary detention facilities.
Police officials stated that the preventive measures were necessary to maintain order. "In addition, nearly 50 anti-social elements with criminal antecedents have been picked up so that they do not disturb the atmosphere or incite trouble," a Delhi Police source confirmed.
Activists Allege "Dictatorship" and Airport Arrests
The crackdown has sparked intense backlash from activists, who claim the police are using extreme measures to stifle dissent. Abhijeet Dipke, an activist from the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), shared a video alleging that police officers entered his flight at the Delhi Airport to arrest him and his associates immediately upon landing.
"This is the fear of Narendra Modi... Not even Indira Gandhi did this during the Emergency. All we wanted to do is a peaceful protest, and they are picking us up from the flight like we are criminals," Dipke alleged in his video.
Similar allegations of heavy-handedness were made by CJP's legal head, Ratna Singh. She claimed that police arrived at her residence in the morning and attempted to detain her without providing any official documentation or written orders.
Controversial Claims and Content Creators
The tension extended to the digital space as well. The CJP claimed that well-known content creator Dhruv Rathee had also been detained, suggesting that the government is attempting to silence young voices who question its policies.
As of now, the police maintain that the detentions are a direct result of the unauthorized nature of the protest and are necessary to prevent any potential law and order issues in the heart of the capital.