New Delhi, Oct 2026 : The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday alleged that security personnel from “Naxal (Maoist)-affected and border areas” had been brought to the national capital to restrict protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The party reiterated its demand for Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Addressing a press conference hours after his release from preventive detention by a Delhi court, CJP co-convener Saurav Das claimed that Delhi had effectively been turned into a cantonment over the past few days, with extensive security deployment and restrictions affecting public life.
“Between 30,000 and 40,000 security personnel have been called in. Troops from Naxal-affected areas, Bengal and Kashmir, including BSF personnel from border areas, have been airlifted to Delhi,” Das claimed, adding that more than 40,000 personnel had reportedly been deployed.
He alleged that the security arrangements were creating difficulties not only for protesters but also for ordinary residents who had no involvement in the planned demonstration.
According to Das, restrictions affecting Metro stations, trains arriving from other states and shops had disrupted daily activities and commercial operations. He argued that such measures could create resentment among the public and negatively affect perceptions of the protest movement.
Questioning the closure of shops, Das said Sunday could otherwise have witnessed increased commercial activity. He alleged that the restrictions were intended to generate opposition to the youth-led movement but maintained that people across the country were watching the developments.
The CJP leader also raised allegations regarding the treatment of detained protesters. He claimed that the Delhi Police had not provided formal detention notices to the party leaders and alleged that their mobile phones had been seized.
Das further expressed concern that the phones might have been hacked to plant evidence, though he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Questioning the authorities’ handling of the controversy, he asked why the government was protecting CEC Gyanesh Kumar and raised questions about the conduct of the 2024 elections and polling in BJP-ruled states.
The CJP has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the SIR exercise and maintained that its campaign would continue despite the preventive detention of its leaders. Das appealed to citizens to join the proposed protests and said the party would not retreat from its demand for accountability.
Meanwhile, CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh welcomed a Supreme Court order directing authorities to ensure the normal functioning of Metro and railway services, uninterrupted internet connectivity and the free movement of people in the national capital.
However, Singh questioned whether the directions would be implemented effectively. She alleged that protesters were being assaulted during detention and that their phones were being confiscated.
“Whatever the court has said today is a positive step, but we will have to see whether the orders are implemented,” Singh said, alleging that police action had continued despite judicial intervention.
The CJP leaders’ statements came amid tensions surrounding the party’s planned demonstration against the CEC. The party has maintained that it will continue pressing its allegations over the electoral roll revision process, while the claims concerning security deployment and police conduct remain allegations made by its representatives.
