NEW DELHI: Indian police detained more than 2,000 protesters and the founder of the 'Cockroach' youth movement on Saturday as security forces locked down parts of the capital to prevent a rally demanding the resignation of the country's election chief. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across Delhi, mobile internet services were suspended in the central business district, and dozens of metro stations and markets were shut as authorities moved to thwart a demonstration organised by the Cockroach movement.
The protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over revisions to voter lists that critics say disproportionately benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The movement had planned to gather thousands of people at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi, but security forces sealed off the area before the demonstration could begin.
A Home Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that around 400 protesters were held in Mumbai, India's financial hub. Police did not immediately comment on the detentions.
The United Nations human rights office expressed concern over the mass detentions. "We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected," UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said.
He urged the authorities to engage in "meaningful dialogue" to address the concerns raised by protesters. India's mission to the UN in Geneva rejected the criticism as "unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of India." It said the right to peaceful assembly was guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order.
Police detained Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka upon their arrival in Delhi. Television footage showed Dipke challenging officers on board the aircraft.
"I have come to be arrested, arrest me... I am not afraid," he said.
The movement condemned the "authoritarian detention" of its leaders and vowed to continue its protests. "We will continue our protest until Gyanesh Kumar resigns," CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde told reporters.
Police also detained opposition figures including Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, and Pinarayi Vijayan. Across Delhi, a city of 20 million, security forces set up checkpoints on major roads and searched buses to maintain order.