“Trains stopped, borders sealed”: Sanjay Raut slams Centre
Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut criticises the heavy security and border sealing in Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party protest.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has launched a scathing attack on the Central Government, accusing it of using extreme security measures to stifle public dissent. The political leader's remarks come as the national capital transformed into a high-security fortress in anticipation of protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking at a press conference, Raut claimed that the authorities have gone to great lengths to prevent citizens from exercising their right to protest. He alleged that trains have been halted, protesters are being detained, and the borders of Delhi have been sealed to suppress what he described as a widespread public agitation.
Massive Security Deployment in Delhi
The crackdown has seen a significant mobilization of security forces. Raut noted that personnel have even been brought in from Jammu & Kashmir to be deployed across the city. According to the Shiv Sena leader, the primary goal of this heavy deployment is to block youth and members of various organizations from gathering to voice their grievances against the government.
"A large number of youths and members of various organisations were supposed to reach Delhi today, but trains have been stopped, people have been detained, and Delhi's borders sealed," Raut stated. He emphasized that despite the heavy presence of forces, the movement remains a "people's protest" that cannot be silenced.
Chaos at Airports and Stations
The tension was palpable even before protesters reached the city streets. CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke shared a video on social media claiming that police began detaining him and his associates immediately upon deboarding their flight from Mumbai at the Delhi Airport.
Furthermore, the CJP has alleged that prominent content creator Dhruv Rathee was also detained during the crackdown. In a statement, the group claimed, "The Dictator is TERRIFIED of young people who question its wrongdoings and refuse to stay silent."
A City Under Lockdown
To manage the anticipated demonstration, the New Delhi district has been carved into 20 operational zones. Authorities have established dedicated detention centres for each zone to manage those intercepted by the police.
The disruption to public transport has been widespread:
- Delhi Metro: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has closed entry and exit gates at numerous stations. Reports suggest that up to 57 metro stations may face closures or reduced train frequency.
- Railways: Several trains at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station have reportedly been cancelled as part of the security protocols.
- Police Presence: More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel are currently stationed across the capital.
Authorities have indicated that these stringent measures are intended to prevent any recurrence of the unrest seen during the July 20 protests. Unlike previous demonstrations, police teams have been specifically authorized to carry lathis and batons. However, they have also been instructed to avoid verbal confrontations with protesters to prevent the circulation of videos that might portray the force in a negative light.
Those detained are being moved to six designated locations, including Chhatrasal Stadium, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Yamuna Sports Complex, Surajmal Stadium, and community centres in Daulatpur and Pandrawal.