Authorities increased security and announced transport limits ahead of a planned Delhi protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Authorities stepped up security in New Delhi on Friday and announced transport restrictions ahead of a planned demonstration against a revision of voter lists, the Associated Press reported. Thousands of people are expected at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
Protesters, joined by opposition parties, are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They accuse the Election Commission of manipulating lists through the revision. Indian Railways cancelled several trains serving two New Delhi stations for Saturday, and Delhi Metro said 57 stations would close.
The Supreme Court directed authorities to reconsider the restrictions and not suspend public transport entirely, AP reported. Local media put the police deployment at at least 23,000 officers. Police have not granted permission for the gathering, Reuters reported, and the Cockroach Janta Party has reported preemptive detentions of some leaders.
Citing Election Commission figures used by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Reuters said about 130 million names were deleted, including 63 million people who had relocated, 28 million recorded as dead, 10 million duplicates and 30 million who could not be traced. Opposition parties say the exercise has unfairly benefited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party.
Saturday's protest has not yet taken place. Friday's reported facts are the security and transport measures and the stated demands.
People Sentiments Negative
- Opposition parties are demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the voter-list revision.
- The Cockroach Janta Party has reported preemptive detentions of some protest leaders.
- Police say they have not granted permission for the gathering.