The Delhi Police will deploy nearly 3,000 personnel and install around 150 high-definition and artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras around Ramlila Maidan ahead of the Congress-led Opposition bloc's rally on November 1, with extensive barricading and a contingency plan to evacuate senior political leaders in an emergency.
Two police officers said all roads leading to the venue would be heavily barricaded and manned to prevent protesters from marching towards Jantar Mantar and other restricted areas. A designated gate at Ramlila Maidan has been earmarked for the safe evacuation of top leaders, including Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, in the event of an emergency or disruption.
The rally is part of the Opposition's campaign against alleged voter deletions and irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Police intelligence estimates that between 40,000 and 50,000 people from Delhi and other states could attend the gathering, although the organisers have claimed that the turnout could reach one million.
CCTV surveillance, control room and body cameras
A temporary police control room will be established near the venue to monitor live footage from the cameras and relay instructions to security personnel deployed in and around the ground.
Most personnel on duty will also be equipped with body-worn cameras to record their interactions and activities. According to the officers, the footage could help establish the circumstances of an incident if allegations of mishandling, harassment or excessive use of force are subsequently made against the police.
The security arrangements will include extensive barricading and restrictions on movement towards sensitive areas of the capital. Police will also monitor the crowd and strengthen deployment if the turnout exceeds expectations.
One officer said the number of attendees could rise, requiring security agencies to increase personnel at the venue and elsewhere in the city.
"The organisers are claiming that around one million people would attend their mega rally. Considering Diwali is around the corner, we as of now are expecting a gathering of around 50,000 people," the officer said.
Eight gates, multiple security checks
Ramlila Maidan, spread across nearly 12 acres, can accommodate around 50,000 people and has eight entry and exit gates. Under the security plan, one gate will be reserved for the entry and exit of VVIPs, including Rahul Gandhi and other senior Opposition leaders. Another will be dedicated to VIPs and senior officials from the Delhi Police and other central agencies.
Access through these two gates will be restricted to people carrying valid passes. Three other gates will initially be used for protesters entering and leaving the venue, with additional gates to be opened if the crowd requires it.
All attendees will undergo thorough searches and frisking before being allowed inside. The police will establish two layers of security cordons, supported by baggage-scanning machines, door-frame metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors.
Deployment across eight regions and 14 zones
The entire ground will be divided into eight regions and 14 zones to manage security and crowd movement. Each region will be headed by an officer of Deputy Commissioner of Police or Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police rank, while an Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officer will oversee each zone.
The officers in charge will be assisted by at least 25 inspectors and personnel ranging from sub-inspectors to constables. In addition to the nearly 3,000 Delhi Police personnel, around 10,000 personnel from armed paramilitary forces will also be deployed as part of the security arrangements.
The scale of the deployment is intended to manage the anticipated crowd, maintain order and prevent protesters from moving into restricted areas.
Parking arrangements and restrictions on movement
With thousands of participants expected to arrive from other states in buses and private vehicles, parking facilities will be arranged around Rajghat and Mata Sundari College. Protesters will be asked to walk from these parking areas to Ramlila Maidan.
Police officers said attendees would not be allowed to proceed towards areas of New Delhi outside the designated rally zone. Barricades and personnel will be positioned along roads leading to the venue to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised marches.
Rally follows protests over electoral rolls
The November 1 gathering comes amid sustained Opposition protests over alleged irregularities and voter deletions during the SIR exercise. Opposition parties, student organisations, particularly those associated with Congress and Left groups, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and civil society activists have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
These groups have staged several demonstrations in recent weeks. Jantar Mantar, previously a designated protest venue, has since been de-notified, with three alternative sites across Delhi identified for demonstrations.
Student protests over alleged examination irregularities at Jantar Mantar had earlier put pressure on the Union government, with the then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning in July, according to the account cited in the report.
With the rally expected to draw participants from Delhi and other states, the police are preparing for a large gathering while keeping evacuation arrangements, surveillance and restrictions on movement in place.