Delhi, October 10, 2026: Delhi Police has strengthened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, deploying its specialised all-women Pink Force and equipping personnel with body-mounted cameras. The measures come amid concerns over alleged confrontations involving women police officers during earlier demonstrations against Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The security operation also involves central paramilitary personnel and extensive restrictions on public transport and connectivity. Police have said the arrangements are intended to maintain public order, protect security personnel and safeguard important government and constitutional establishments in the capital.
Pink Force Deployed Amid Concerns Over Police Safety
The deployment of the Pink Force follows allegations that women police personnel faced misconduct and physical confrontations during previous Opposition-led protests. Police officials have alleged that some male demonstrators dragged female officers into crowds, assaulted them and damaged their uniforms and badges while officers were attempting to manage the gatherings.
The specialised all-women unit has been assigned security duties as authorities prepare for the latest CJP demonstration. Its presence forms part of a broader effort to manage crowds and reduce the risk of confrontations between protesters and law enforcement personnel.
The allegations concern incidents described by police officials. Their deployment comes as authorities attempt to maintain control over demonstrations while addressing concerns about the safety of officers on duty.
Body Cameras Introduced to Record Incidents
Body-worn cameras are another prominent feature of the security arrangements. The devices, attached to police uniforms, can record interactions between officers and members of the public, including in low-light conditions.
A police official on duty said the cameras would help establish what happened during confrontations and provide evidence if allegations of misconduct or physical mistreatment arise. The recordings could assist in assessing incidents involving both police personnel and protesters.
The technology is particularly relevant during large demonstrations, where crowded conditions can make it difficult to establish the sequence of events after a confrontation. Recorded footage can potentially help investigators examine complaints and clarify disputed accounts.
The use of body cameras also places greater emphasis on documenting police-public interactions. However, the presence of recording equipment alone does not establish what occurred in any particular incident; footage would need to be reviewed in context.
More Than 400 People Detained
Authorities have detained more than 400 people who had gathered in connection with the protest, officials said. The preventive action reportedly included between 30 and 40 people described by officials as having criminal backgrounds.
The CJP proceeded with its planned Jantar Mantar demonstration despite not receiving police permission, according to the available details. The gathering, referred to as “Jantar Mantar 2.0,” forms part of the political protest surrounding Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police have defended the extensive precautions by pointing to the need to balance the public's right to demonstrate with the responsibility to protect residents, commuters and government institutions. Officials have also highlighted Jantar Mantar's limited capacity, estimating that the site can safely accommodate approximately 1,000 people at a time.
Metro Closures and Railway Disruptions
The security measures have significantly affected travel across Delhi. Entry and exit facilities at 45 metro stations were scheduled to remain closed from 9 pm on October 9 until 6 pm on October 10, subject to a review by security agencies. Interchange facilities were expected to remain available at the affected stations, except New Delhi metro station.
The Namo Bharat stations at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar were also scheduled to remain closed until 10 pm on October 10.
In addition, more than 250 outstation and local train services scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm were cancelled.
Internet services were suspended for 24 hours within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing, beginning on the night of October 9.
With the protest and security restrictions affecting several parts of the capital, authorities face the challenge of maintaining public safety while minimising disruption to daily life. The situation remains subject to review by security agencies, with further decisions dependent on developments on the ground.
