The Delhi Police have drawn up a multi-layered security plan involving online monitoring, drone surveillance, call records’ analysis at sensitive locations ahead of the proposed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest on September 5, stressing that no permission has been granted for a gathering at India Gate, Police Headquarters (PHQ) or the approach routes.
Days before the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, the CJP has decided to hit the streets again over Centre’s failure to live up to its assurances after July protests, including the immediate withdrawal of FIRs against student protesters. The Supreme Court on Monday declined to pass any order against the protest in central Delhi.
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das said, “Delhi Police can continue with their routine work. But, as we have done in the past, our protest marches have always been peaceful. There should be no apprehension that this protest will not be peaceful.”
Multi-layered deployment
Security personnel will be deployed at Delhi’s inter-state borders, the periphery of New Delhi district, India Gate, PHQ and routes leading to these locations. Officials said the focus would be on preventing large gatherings and filtering out protesters before they reach the proposed sites.
A dedicated control room will coordinate inputs from field locations. Additional forces will be deployed in coordination with CAPFs, while detention teams and buses will be kept ready.
The Law and Order units across districts have been tasked with identifying Jantar Mantar participants who were flagged through facial-recognition systems (FRS) during the July 20 protest. Police officials have been asked to visit the residences of those who participated in the earlier protest, issue advisories against participation and document compliance.
Police have also stepped up online monitoring, tracking posts containing specific keywords and using algorithms to flag videos and other content considered suspicious, sources said.
Preventive action under Sections 107 and 116 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is planned against identified organisers, an official said. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS are also likely. Security will additionally be strengthened around high-security areas.
Multi-level coordination
Police will coordinate with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and other transport authorities to regulate movement around the protest sites. App-based services, including food and delivery platforms, are also likely to be suspended within a five-kilometre radius on September 5. Internet suspension has not been confirmed and would require approval from competent authorities, an official said.
Officials will also use Aman Committee and Nagrik Suraksha Committee meetings to communicate the no-permission position and attempt to de-escalate mobilisation.
Delhi Police will coordinate with forces in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan for mirror picketing and restrictions on Delhi-bound movement of identified groups. Barricades will be erected at inter-state borders, including arterial and link roads.
The Special Cell will provide technical surveillance support, including analysis of call-detail records and tower dumps at sensitive locations, where legally sanctioned. CCTV feeds from across the city will be monitored and preserved for post-event investigation, while drones may supplement surveillance.
The Intelligence and Special Branches have been asked to assess mobilisation trends, logistics providers, leaders, their movements and possible political backing.
Ambulances will be positioned and hospitals, including AIIMS, Ram Manohar Lohia and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital, will be kept coordinated. An uninterrupted emergency corridor will be maintained through the sealed zone, officials said.
CJP response
Mr. Das said barricading protest sites like Jantar Mantar or India Gate would not prevent young people from demonstrating, adding that the larger issue is the violation of rights.
He said the party had communicated with police through multiple channels and assured them of cooperation, while questioning the requirement for permission to protest. “The very concept of requiring permission from the State to protest against the State is absurd and not acceptable,” Mr. Das said.
He also said a high-level government delegation had contacted him while he was in Puducherry, which he said indicated that the Centre was aware of the seriousness of the issue.
Published – September 01, 2026 01:43 am IST
