Over 200 detained as anti-CEC protests enter second day; journalists also taken into custody

More than 200 protesters were detained across the national capital on Sunday as demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar entered their second day, with police preventing student organisations and supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) from marching towards Jantar Mantar.

Several protesters were seen being dragged into police buses during confrontations with security personnel, while journalists covering the demonstrations were also reportedly detained despite displaying their press identification cards. The detentions continued into the evening, with fresh demonstrations reported from Connaught Place, RK Ashram Marg, Vijay Chowk and other locations. Protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar in smaller groups as security personnel maintained a heavy presence across central Delhi.

Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students' Association (AISA), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) and other organisations participated in the demonstrations alongside CJP supporters.

Journalists detained during coverage

Visuals circulating on social media showed journalists displaying their press identification cards to police personnel while being taken away from protest locations. Several journalists were reportedly detained while covering the demonstrations, raising concerns about restrictions on media access during the security operation.

The circumstances surrounding their detention and whether they were subsequently released were not immediately clear. At Connaught Place's Inner Circle, protesters marched while raising slogans demanding the CEC's resignation. Demonstrators were heard shouting, "Gyanesh Kumar isteefa do, isteefa do."

Police personnel moved towards the groups and attempted to disperse them. Videos showed security personnel holding protesters by their arms and pulling them towards waiting buses. Some demonstrators resisted detention, while others continued raising slogans as they were taken into custody.

Women protesters raise concerns

The SFI organised a women's march around 6.30 pm, following which it alleged that several participants were detained from Connaught Place. The organisation claimed that male police personnel had detained women protesters and questioned the legality of detaining them after 6 pm.

In a series of social media posts, the SFI alleged that several police vans and buses carrying detained women did not have any female police personnel inside. It claimed that some women were being held in buses without lights while male officers remained present around them.

The organisation expressed concern about the safety of its members and demanded accountability for the manner in which the detentions were carried out. The allegations regarding the presence of women police personnel and conditions inside the detention vehicles could not be independently verified.

AISA president dragged away

AISA president Neha Bora was among those detained near Vijay Chowk during the afternoon. Videos circulating online showed Bora raising slogans alongside fellow protesters before security personnel moved towards the group. She was seen running as police personnel pursued her, before officers blocked her path and caught hold of her.

Women police personnel were subsequently seen holding Bora by her arms, while other security personnel grabbed her arms and legs and dragged her away. At one point, Bora was seen clinging to barricades as fellow protesters attempted to prevent police from taking her into custody. She was eventually detained. AISA members attempting to march from RK Ashram Marg metro station were also detained as police blocked routes towards Jantar Mantar.

SFI alleges assault in custody

The SFI claimed that hundreds of its activists had been detained and taken to Surajmal Stadium in Nangloi.

In a statement, the organisation said its national president Adarsh M Saji, Delhi secretary Sooraj Elamon, Central Executive Committee member Abhijith Manilal and several other members were among those detained. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was also detained, according to police sources. The SFI alleged that its leaders were assaulted inside police vehicles, which protesters described as resembling small jails.

According to student organisations, the detention vehicles had separate compartments divided by partitions fitted with latches, while windows and doors were covered with mesh. The SFI further alleged that Brittas was assaulted by Delhi Police personnel and subsequently left by the roadside in an injured condition. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the allegation. The organisation also claimed that Father Biju Xavier, vicar of Sacred Heart Church in Delhi, was arrested while recording alleged police violence on his mobile phone.

Flash protests across capital

Sunday's demonstrations were marked by a series of flash protests, with different groups assembling at separate locations in an attempt to evade security restrictions and reach Jantar Mantar. The CJP said several protesters were detained near Rajiv Chowk metro station and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib.

Videos shared by the organisation showed demonstrators attempting to form human chains as police personnel moved in to detain them. The party alleged that doctors and other protesters demonstrating peacefully near Gurdwara Bangla Sahib were also taken into custody.

In another unusual demonstration, members of the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan staged a protest on boats near Nigambodh Ghat. Videos circulating on social media showed the protesters holding posters and raising slogans demanding Kumar's resignation.

KYS members also participated in demonstrations near Connaught Place, while the Revolutionary Workers Party of India (RWPI) organised protests at other locations across the capital. Police continued detaining demonstrators into the evening as student organisations reported fresh arrests and raised concerns about the treatment of those in custody.

Heavy security deployment

The protests took place amid extensive security arrangements across Delhi, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar.

The CJP had announced another demonstration at the protest site at 10 am on Sunday after police prevented its supporters from gathering there on Saturday. The first day of the agitation witnessed a major security crackdown, with more than 7,000 protesters reportedly detained at multiple locations across the capital.

CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were among those detained on Saturday. Several opposition leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, were also detained while attempting to participate in the protest.

The CJP and opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The protesters have accused the poll panel of failing to ensure transparency and fairness in electoral processes, allegations that remain contested. Despite the extensive police deployment and repeated detentions, the CJP maintained that its agitation would continue until Kumar stepped down.