Dipke targets Modi over deployment of forces in Delhi, raises VanDyke case

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday questioned the Centre's priorities, alleging that the government was deploying security personnel in Delhi to prevent protests instead of focusing on national security concerns, including the situation along the India-China border.

Dipke referred to the case involving American national Matthew VanDyke, accused of training armed groups in Myanmar, and questioned the seriousness with which the matter was being treated.

"It is not that he wanted to wave the flag of our country. If he wanted to wave the flag of our country then it could have been a big national security threat, but he was just training some terrorists, so it is not a big deal," Dipke said sarcastically.

His remarks came against the backdrop of continuing restrictions on demonstrations in the national capital and the extension of deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱

Referring to comments by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur on the challenges of countering China, Dipke alleged that security forces meant to protect the country's borders were being deployed in Delhi to prevent demonstrations.

"So there are a lot of concerning things, but the priority is the same. Matthew Van Dyke is not a big priority, India-China border safety is not a big priority, what is the priority, no one should protest in Delhi, no one should ask for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation in Delhi," he said.

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dipke added, "China is not letting him show his red eyes, Trump is not letting him say anything."

ITBP chief Kapur had said on Thursday that face-offs had taken place at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh and were continuing. He also highlighted the challenges posed by China's military modernisation.

𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗗𝘆𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀

VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in March for allegedly entering Myanmar through Mizoram and training members of ethnic armed groups in drone warfare.

According to the allegations, the training involved drone operations, assembly and jamming technology.

A Delhi court on Friday permitted VanDyke to travel to the United States and extended permission for the six Ukrainian co-accused to remain outside India until February 24, 2027.

Dipke cited the developments while questioning the government's approach towards matters involving national security.

𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗶 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱

Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has extended the deployment of 273 CAPF companies in Delhi until October 31 for the second time, citing the possibility of "flash protests" by political and other groups, official sources said.

The forces were initially deployed earlier this month amid demonstrations by the CJP and other organisations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The continued deployment has become a point of contention, with Dipke alleging that preventing protests in Delhi was receiving greater attention than other security concerns.

The Centre has cited the possibility of further demonstrations as the reason for extending the security deployment.