New Delhi: The “Lehra Do Tiranga” programme of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, could spill beyond its symbolic flag-hoisting, intelligence agencies have warned.
The participants may try to convert the event into an indefinite sit-in demanding the release of jailed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, top intelligence sources said, as reported by News18.
The assessment fears participants may refuse to vacate the venue once the 5 pm programme ends, sources said.
They cited the June 20 protest, when permission was granted only until 5 pm but the demonstration continued as a sit-in for over a month. Though NDMC has closed the Central Park for public, a gathering is expected.
Supporters will not head straight to Central Park, the agencies believe. They may assemble in small groups at different locations, creating simultaneous gatherings across central and New Delhi Districts, the sources said.
There has been intensive use of social media for mobilisation and livestreaming, along with last-minute changes of venue or route. This is expected to complicate crowd management and traffic regulation, particularly during evening peak hours.
If restrictions are imposed at Central Park, some groups may try to march towards Parliament House, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the PMO, the Supreme Court, political party offices and the residences of senior public representatives, sources said. Security around these locations has been flagged as a priority.
The assessment also cautions about disorder. Overcrowding, rumours or provocation could trigger pushing, scuffles or damage to public property in and around Central Park, the sources said, adding that anti-social elements could exploit the gathering to indulge in unlawful activity.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the programme on October 14 under the message “Waving a Tiranga is Not a Crime”.
The agencies’ fears are rooted in earlier CJP demonstrations. During the October 10 protest, stone-pelting and an attack on police personnel near Akashvani Bhawan were reported, leaving two policemen injured. Incidents of confrontation were also reported on October 11.
The turnout at earlier protests considerably exceeded the numbers communicated by organisers, and some participants allegedly broke through police barricades, sources reminded. Agencies fear a similar unexpected surge this time, as supporters from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of Delhi-NCR, besides students and youth groups, may join.
Public social media platforms are to be monitored for mobilisation calls, gathering points and last-minute changes.
Preventive arrangements have also been proposed at railway stations, Metro stations and bus terminals, with adequate force and crowd-management equipment kept ready. Security around vital installations and VIP areas in New Delhi and Central Districts is to be tightened, and police are to stay deployed until the crowd has completely dispersed.
