‘Coordinate with Delhi Police’: Home secy directs states, UTs amid CJP mobilisation concerns ahead of banned protest | India News
NEW DELHI: Union home secretary Govind Mohan on Friday directed police chiefs of all states and Union territories to coordinate with the Delhi Police and take preventive measures ahead of protests planned by youth pressure group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the capital, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.Mohan’s letter came after the Delhi Police denied permission to the CJP to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site in the capital. He cited concerns that the outfit and its supporters might attempt to enter Delhi despite the denial of permission.The letter described the proposed mobilisation as a “serious law-and-order concern”, citing intelligence inputs suggesting that the CJP and its supporters might attempt to enter Delhi from various states and Union territories despite the ban, potentially disrupting public peace and order.“To pre-empt any breach of public tranquility and to safeguard critical infrastructure, all States and UTs are hereby directed to coordinate with the Delhi Police and operationalise immediate preventive measures under the broad statutory and operational parameters, within the framework of the law,” the letter stated.It also called for continuous coordination among state and UT intelligence agencies, border transit authorities and the Delhi Police.“Continuous and real-time intelligence sharing must be maintained between State/UT intelligence agencies, border transit authorities, and the Delhi Police to ensure coordinated action,” it added.Mohan also cited what the letter described as the CJP’s “documented history of non-compliance with lawful directions” during past mobilisations, which resulted in disruptions to public order and damage to public and private property.The reference was to the July 20 clash between police and protesters who attempted to march to Parliament, demanding the resignation of then-Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue. Pradhan resigned on July 25, bringing the agitation to an end.“Furthermore, the CJP and its supporting parties/organisations/individuals, during past events, have a documented history of non-compliance with lawful directions. Their past mobilisations from different states into Delhi have resulted in significant disruptions of public order and damage to public property/ Private property,” the letter stated.Emphasising the need for strict implementation of the directions, the letter described the maintenance of law and public order as a constitutional imperative.
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“The ministry (of home affairs) views the maintenance of law & 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,” it added.Kumar has been at the centre of a controversy following a media report alleging a “rift” between him and the two Election Commissioners over several issues, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.The poll body subsequently maintained that differences of opinion were normal in a multi-member institution, adding that all decisions were ultimately taken unanimously.The Commission’s decisions must either be unanimous or adopted by a 2:1 majority.(With ANI inputs)
