New Delhi, October 11:The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday alleged that security personnel from Naxal-affected and border areas had been deployed in the national capital to curb protests, as it renewed its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing a press conference hours after his release following a preventive arrest, CJP co-convener Saurav Das alleged that Delhi had effectively been turned into a cantonment over the past few days, with heavy security deployment and restrictions on public movement.

“The entire city of Delhi has been turned into a cantonment for the last few days,” Das said.

He claimed that between 30,000 and 40,000 security personnel had been brought to the capital, including troops from Naxal-affected areas, West Bengal and Kashmir, as well as Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from border regions. He also alleged that personnel had been airlifted to Delhi amid heightened security arrangements.

Das said the restrictions were inconveniencing not only protesters but also ordinary residents who were not participating in the agitation. According to him, the measures risked creating public resentment against the protest movement by disrupting everyday life.

He cited the closure of metro stations, suspension of train services connecting Delhi with other states and the shutting of shops as examples of the disruption. Questioning the rationale behind the restrictions, he said the measures were affecting businesses and commuters, particularly on a Sunday when markets might otherwise have seen increased footfall.

“The government believes this will create a negative atmosphere against the youth and this movement. But they are mistaken because the entire country is watching the brutality being meted out to the youth and the agitators,” Das said.

He also accused Delhi Police of failing to provide a formal detention notice and expressed concern that the phones seized from them could have been tampered with or hacked to plant evidence.

Alleging that an atmosphere of fear was being created to protect the CEC, Das questioned why the government was defending Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns about the conduct of the 2024 general elections and elections in BJP-ruled states.

“Why are you saving Gyanesh Kumar? Does he know something about the 2024 elections, or how polls have been conducted in BJP-ruled states?” he asked.

Reiterating the party's resolve to continue its agitation, Das said the CJP would not back down and appealed to citizens to join the protests demanding the CEC's resignation.

Meanwhile, CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh welcomed the Supreme Court's order directing the authorities to ensure the normal functioning of metro and railway services, uninterrupted internet connectivity and the free movement of people in the national capital.

Singh described the order as a positive development but stressed that its impact would depend on effective implementation.

“Whatever the court has said today is a positive step, but we will have to see whether the orders are implemented,” she said.

She further alleged that protesters being detained were being assaulted and their mobile phones confiscated. Accusing Delhi Police of continuing its existing approach despite judicial intervention, Singh said meaningful change would be possible only if the court's directions were implemented on the ground.