Authorities in New Delhi restricted rail and metro access and deployed thousands of police before a planned Saturday protest over the deletion of more than 130 million voter names.
Authorities in New Delhi stepped up security on Friday and announced transport limits ahead of a planned Saturday demonstration against a revision of voter lists, The Independent reported. Protesters, joined by opposition parties, are expected at Jantar Mantar and are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Indian Railways cancelled several trains serving two New Delhi stations for Saturday, and Delhi Metro said 57 stations would close, The Independent reported. Local media cited in that account said at least 23,000 police had been deployed. The Supreme Court directed authorities to reconsider the restrictions and not suspend public transport entirely.
Reuters reported that opposition parties and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party want Kumar removed and have vowed a large protest in the capital. Police have not granted permission, Reuters said, and the party has reported preemptive detentions of some leaders.
Election Commission figures cited by the Bharatiya Janata Party put deletions at about 130 million names, including 63 million people who had relocated, 28 million recorded as dead, 10 million duplicates and 30 million who could not be traced, Reuters said. Millions have appealed. Critics say the appeal process is hard for people without older records.
The protest itself had not taken place at the time of these reports. The deletion totals are commission figures cited by a political party, not a court finding of manipulation.
People Sentiments Negative
- Protesters and opposition parties are demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
- The Cockroach Janta Party has reported preemptive detentions of some leaders.
- The Supreme Court told authorities to reconsider a full suspension of public transport.