Noida/Gurgaon: Concrete barricades, intensive vehicle checks, drone surveillance and scrutiny of bulk food orders are among the measures police have rolled out across Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon ahead of Saturday’s proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. With police also monitoring accommodation facilities and transport hubs for groups suspected to be heading to the protest, commuters can expect additional checks and delays at several entry points to the capital.CJP has called the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged deletion of eligible voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.At the Chilla border on Friday, Noida and Delhi police checked vehicles headed towards the capital. Security was also stepped up at DND and other sensitive entry points, including Jhundpura and Jewar. Concrete barricades were brought in, and checks intensified after 9pm. Commuters were questioned about the purpose of their visit, while vehicles suspected of carrying demonstrators faced closer scrutiny.Police personnel were also deployed at Sector 15 and Sector 16 metro stations to identify large groups travelling together. Railway stations and bus stops were brought under surveillance, with cops watching for groups suspected to be heading to Delhi for the demonstration. The Border Security Force was deployed at the Chilla border as part of the security arrangements.Additional personnel were deployed at sensitive locations, with drones to be used for surveillance at some points. Three companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed across Noida.
Traffic congestion at Sirhaul border ahead of a protest at Jantar Mantar on Oct 10
Tailbacks started at Delhi-Gurgaon border from afternoon
“Three companies of PAC have been deployed. Intensive checking is being conducted at all border points adjoining Delhi. Police personnel are keeping a close watch on suspicious individuals and vehicles. We will focus more on those suspected of disturbing law and order,” said additional commissioner of police (law and order) Rajiv Narayan Mishra.Noida police commissioner Laxmi Singh reviewed the arrangements with senior officers on Friday. Police are coordinating with Delhi Police and neighbouring districts and states to exchange information and track developments. Checks are also being conducted on vehicles entering Noida from Delhi.The security net has extended beyond roads and transport hubs. Police are monitoring schools, universities, colleges and corporate establishments, while hotels, guesthouses and paying guest accommodations are being checked for suspicious movement. Cops are also checking whether small eateries and cloud kitchens have received bulk food orders, and verifying the source of such orders.Evening patrols were planned around budget accommodation, including OYO hotels and Airbnb properties near the Noida-Delhi borders, to check whether large groups were staying there and establish the purpose of their visit.“We have also reached out to RWAs and colleges to inform them about the restrictions imposed,” an officer said.Noida police have formed two dedicated teams to monitor social media for rumours, misinformation and provocative posts that could disturb public order. Officials said such content would be examined and legal action taken wherever necessary.In Ghaziabad, police have intensified border checks and inspections of accommodation facilities to track possible mobilisation for the protest.In Gurgaon, security was tightened at border points, railway and bus stations, metro stations and major roads. Barricades were erected at Sirhaul, while intensive vehicle checks triggered long queues on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. Police personnel were deployed at Iffco Chowk, Rajiv Chowk and five metro stations — Iffco Chowk, MG Road, Millennium City Centre, Sikanderpur and Guru Dronacharya.CJP spokesperson Sudhir Sangwan, who lives in Sheetla Colony, was detained and taken to the Sector 39 crime branch, according to sources.At Gurgaon railway station, Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police checked trains heading towards Delhi and questioned passengers about their travel plans. Police were also deployed at the bus stand, where passengers travelling to Delhi were questioned and asked to show identification.Travel was further disrupted after Delhi Metro announced the closure of 57 stations as a precaution ahead of the protest. Arjan Garh, the first station on the Delhi side after Guru Dronacharya on the Gurgaon route, was among those shut, affecting passengers travelling beyond Gurgaon.A senior Noida police officer said the situation was being closely monitored after permission for the Jantar Mantar protest was denied, amid concerns that demonstrators might move to Noida to stage a protest. The officer said barricading and additional deployment were preventive measures intended to maintain law and order and regulate the movement of groups suspected to be travelling towards Delhi.Gurgaon police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar said personnel had been deployed at various locations to maintain law and order. He added that people were being advised to avoid joining gatherings in Delhi, where restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS were in force.
