New Delhi: Security personnel detain a supporter of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) after activist Sonam Wangchuk, unseen, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, is shifted to a hospital from Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Saturday intensified round-the-clock surveillance, vehicle checks and security deployment ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) Parliament march after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike, was taken to a hospital following a deterioration in his health.According to reports, key entry points into the high-security New Delhi district have been turned into controlled zones, with extensive barricading, vehicle checks and additional police pickets put in place to prevent any law-and-order situation.The CJP had called for a march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the first day of the Monsoon session.”Every vehicle entering the New Delhi district will be subjected to thorough checking. Additional barricades have been installed at strategic locations, surveillance has been intensified and police personnel have been directed to maintain strict vigil in New Delhi, Central Delhi and North Delhi round the clock,” a senior official told PTI, adding that authorities would not allow any unauthorised march towards Parliament.The official also stated that the CJP is yet to seek permission for the march, but indicated that approval was unlikely. “Even if the organisers apply for permission, it is unlikely to be granted because the Monsoon session of Parliament will be underway and security protocols around Parliament will be at their highest level,” the official added.Security has been strengthened around Jantar Mantar — the capital’s designated protest site where the CJP began its indefinite protest on June 21 — Parliament Street, Central Vista, Shankar Chowk, Connaught Place and other sensitive locations. Additional reserve forces have also been kept on standby.The measures also include increased patrolling, multiple layers of barricading and continuous CCTV monitoring.The heightened security comes hours after Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite fast since June 28, was taken to Safdarjung Hospital early Saturday. Police maintained that the move was carried out after his health deteriorated and in accordance with Delhi high court directions.Soon after, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike and maintained that the Parliament march would proceed as scheduled.Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo also said the march would be held as planned and that she would participate in it in place of her husband if required.The CJP, an online satirical movement, and Wangchuk have been demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and broader educational reforms following allegations related to the NEET (UG) paper leak, CBSE online marking issues, and other concerns.
