The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and several Left-wing organisations have called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Security in the capital has been tightened, with heavy barricading around Jantar Mantar, a large deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, and a request from Delhi Police to the Delhi Metro to close 57 stations from tonight. 

Ahead of the protest, organising bodies and student groups allege that police in various states are visiting the homes of their activists to stop them from travelling to Delhi.

In Gujarat, students, social activists and youth active on public interest issues say they have received calls from the police. Several told Newslaundry that officers visited their homes, and one said he was made to sign a written assurance that he would not travel to Delhi. There are also instances of some people being detained.

‘I was made to sign a statement saying I wouldn’t go to Delhi’

Jigra, an Ahmedabad resident, is a law student. He is not affiliated with any political organisation but has participated in local movements and protests. He was also active in recent local protests regarding the NEET-UG paper leak.

He recounts that around 7:30 pm on October 8, a group of officers in civilian clothes from the Crime Branch reached near his home in a Gypsy and two SUVs to pick him up.

He says, “Some of my family members are in the police force. When they found out, they informed the police that I was a family member. Afterwards, they called me downstairs, questioned me, and made me sign a document. The document contained some of my personal details and a statement declaring that I would not participate in the CJP protest scheduled for October 10 in Delhi.”

Jigra adds, "I wasn't going to attend the protest anyway due to family reasons. However, the manner in which the police arrived and forced me to sign that statement was........

© newslaundry