Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar turned tense in Delhi on Sunday as protesters tried to break through police barricades and stop buses carrying detained protesters.
AAP workers and members of the party’s student wing, ASAP, gathered as part of the ongoing protests against the Election Commission. The demonstrations are linked to concerns raised by opposition parties and other groups over the functioning of the poll panel and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police had made heavy security arrangements in central Delhi ahead of planned marches from India Gate to Jantar Mantar. police personnel, including Rapid Action Force and other paramilitary personnel, were deployed. Multiple layers of barricades were also placed on roads leading towards Jantar Mantar.
During the protest, some AAP workers attempted to move past the barricades and head towards Jantar Mantar. Videos from the area showed protesters surrounding and blocking buses being used to transport people detained during the demonstrations.
The situation became more tense as security personnel tried to clear the routes and prevent protesters from moving further. Some women protesters were also seen climbing onto a vehicle during the demonstration. Police have been restricting access to Jantar Mantar because permission for some of the planned gatherings was not granted and prohibitory orders were in force in parts of central Delhi. Earlier protests over the same issue resulted in hundreds of detentions and the registration of FIRs.
The protests have been demanding action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with participants raising concerns over the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. The Election Commission has maintained that voters whose names are missing from the draft rolls can take steps to register after providing the required documents.
