Home Ministry asks states to stop people heading to Delhi for CJP protest

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to all states and Union Territories, directing them to coordinate with Delhi Police and take immediate preventive measures to stop protesters from mobilising towards the national capital for a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest planned at Jantar Mantar today.The protest seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.In its communication to all directors general of police (DGPs), the ministry called for immediate preventive measures in view of attempts by CJP supporters to make an "unauthorised entry from various states/UTs into Delhi to disturb public peace and order".It also directed state and UT intelligence agencies, border transit authorities and Delhi Police to maintain continuous, real-time intelligence sharing.The Union home secretary, in the letter, highlighted the "grave law and order and public order implications arising from the proposed mass mobilisation by the CJP at Jantar Mantar on October 10". The letter said that the request submitted on behalf of the CJP had been categorically rejected and that the proposed assembly stood prohibited.The home secretary also cited a 2018 Supreme Court order, saying that it mandates strict adherence to established protocols governing assemblies in the area."The ministry views the maintenance of law and order and public order as a non-negotiable constitutional imperative. Strict and uncompromising execution of the above is solicited to uphold the rule of law," the letter said.The ministry further alleged that the CJP and its supporting parties, organisations and individuals had a documented history of failing to comply with lawful directions during past events. According to the letter, their previous mobilisations from different states into Delhi had resulted in significant disruptions to public order and damage to public and private property.The MHA also cited credible intelligence inputs suggesting that, despite the formal prohibition communicated to the CJP, the party and its supporting organisations intended to disobey statutory orders and attempt unauthorised entry into Delhi from various states and Union Territories."To pre-empt any breach of public tranquillity and to safeguard critical infrastructure, all the states and UTs are hereby directed to coordinate with Delhi Police and operationalise immediate preventive measures under the broad statutory and operational parameters, within the framework of law," the letter said.The CJP has called the protest to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. The Centre has directed states, Union Territories and Delhi Police to coordinate their efforts to prevent the prohibited mobilisation towards the national capital.- EndsWith PTI inputs