As of now, 5000 Delhi Police personnel are deployed in New Delhi district, where Jantar Mantar is located, with officers saying that the number could even go up to 15,000. (Express File Photo)Delhi is heading towards a lockdown – in effect if not in name – as police prepare for Saturday’s Cockroach Janta Party-led protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision.We’ve been here before; in June the Abhijeet Dipke-founded pressure group ignited a ferocious protest that forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as the Union Education Minister.That agitation was over corruption in the public examination system.Back then the streets of central Delhi – Jantar Mantar in particular – resembled war zones as cops clashed with student. There were allegations of excessive force by the cops – they reportedly fired pellet guns that injured students. But authorities claimed ‘criminal elements’ infiltrated the protest.Delhi Police filed nearly 3,000 cases against those with ‘criminal records’; they said they used a fledgling facial recognition technology to track the accused down, though an investigation by The Indian Express suggested unsettling flaws within that system.The fallout included a political row with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi campaigning vociferously in support of students reportedly hit by pellets fired by the cops. There were also shocking visuals of a Bihar policeman firing an AK-47 at protests in Siwan.Fast-forward to today (and before tomorrow’s protest), and the police say they have learned much from the last time the CJP wagon was in town.Story continues below this adSpecifically, senior officers believe there were two serious lapses last time, and have prepped what they believe is a ‘fail-safe plan’ for the 10 CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. Four layers of restriction between Delhi and Jantar MantarDelhi Police has not granted permission for the Cockroach Janta Party and AISA protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10. Step through what has been announced, from the railway station to the barricade. 1Reach Delhi2Move around3Near the site4At the siteConfirmedannouncedPlannedbeing preparedPossiblecould happen1. Reach DelhiRail and road into the capitalConfirmedTrains cancelled for 10 hoursAll trains to and from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations are cancelled from 4 am to 2 pm on Saturday. Railways cites severe road congestion expected around both stations.ConfirmedCancelled at sourceMail and Express trains starting after 2 pm on 9 October that were due at either station between 4 am and 2 pm on 10 October are cancelled. So are the Howrah and Sealdah Rajdhani Express trains leaving West Bengal on 9 October.PlannedChecks at the bordersPolice will maintain heightened vigilance at Delhi’s entry points. People suspected of trying to mobilise crowds could be stopped and detained there, officers say.BackNext stop2. Move aroundGetting across the cityConfirmed57 Metro stations shutClosed from 9 pm on Friday until the situation normalises, the Delhi authorities announced. About 16 stations were shut during the July 20 CJP protest.PlannedApp cabs restrictedPolice are coordinating with Ola and Uber to regulate movement towards Lutyens’ Delhi, and are preparing to restrict entry on roads into the New Delhi district.PlannedHotels told not to take new guestsHotels, guest houses and other accommodation in and around Central Delhi are asked to stay shut or restrict fresh bookings. Paharganj owners have been briefed.ConfirmedLiquor stores closedShut across the city on 9 and 10 October, under an Excise department order citing public order.BackNext stop3. Near the siteThe New Delhi districtConfirmedNo permissionDelhi Police has not granted permission for the protest, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS.PlannedStopped in your own districtDistricts are told to stop would-be protesters within their own jurisdiction. Those who refuse to turn back are sent straight to detention centres.Planned37 blocking pointsSpread across the New Delhi district, each pinned to one district or unit, so that no two units are posted at the same place.PlannedDetention centresSet up in all 15 districts, say officers, including stadiums such as Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana and Chhatrasal Stadium. An earlier report put the number at around 10.BackNext stop4. At the siteOn the groundConfirmedCentral forcesThe Home Ministry has made 221 Central Armed Police Forces companies, around 23,000 personnel, available to Delhi Police from 8 to 12 October. Five are all-women companies.PlannedWomen police in frontA source says women police will march in front to stop senior protest leaders, with male personnel supporting from behind. Women personnel will carry small body-worn devices.PossibleInternet curbsMay be imposed where detainees are housed, and could extend to parts of New Delhi and Central Delhi depending on the security situation, officers say.PlannedPress and livestreamersJournalists are asked to carry and prominently display valid press cards at barricades. People recording or livestreaming could face action if they obstruct police operations or violate restrictions.BackStart againAs reported by The Indian Express. “Planned” and “Possible” items are as described by police officers and may change.The plan stretches to refusing every permission sought – including refusing permission for the protest itself, citing the lateness of the application.These measures will include a 37-point dragnet across central Delhi.Must Read | 37-point dragnet, 15 detention centres: Delhi Police's CJP protest planAnd, controversially, sees cops travelling to protesters (those whom they have identified) hometowns to urge them to stay away. That measure has been decried by protesters as ‘house arrest’, though the police have not formally issued such orders.Story continues below this adAlso the Union Home Ministry – to whom Delhi Police reports – has made 221 Central Armed Police Forces companies, i.e., 23,000 troops, available till Monday.The approach marks a reversal from last time, when district police were told to guide students and others travelling to Jantar Mantar to join the agitation.Coming to DelhiTrains coming into two major city stations on Saturday – New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin – have been cancelled from 4 am to 2 pm on Saturday. Which restrictions are in force, and whenFour of the curbs come with dates and times. Pick a moment, from Friday afternoon to Sunday, to see which are in force around Saturday’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Fri3 pmFri10 pmSat5 amSat3 pmSun11 amLiquor stores shut9 and 10 Oct, citywideIn forceIn forceIn forceIn force Central forces available221 companies, 8 to 12 OctIn forceIn forceIn forceIn forceIn forceMetro stations closed57 stations, from 9 pm Fri In forceIn forceNo endtimeNo endtimeTrains to the two stations cancelledNew Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin, 4 am to 2 pm Sat In force 2 of 4Liquor stores are shut and central forces are available. The Metro closure begins at 9 pm.3 of 4The Metro closure has begun, with no end time announced. Trains are still running.4 of 4Protest day begins with everything in force, including the 10-hour rail suspension at both stations.2 of 4The rail suspension ended at 2 pm. Liquor stores are still shut, and the Metro closure has no announced end time.1 of 4The liquor order covered 9 and 10 October only. Central forces are available until 12 October, and the Metro closure has no announced end time. In force Announced with no end time, so it may still applyTimes are as announced. The Metro closure runs “till the situation normalises.” Central forces are “available” to Delhi Police, not necessarily on the streets throughout.Mail and express services starting after 2 pm today and were due at either station between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10 have also been cancelled.Story continues below this adWithin DelhiAlso, hotels and guest houses across the city have been told ‘not to take in new visitors who appear to be arriving for the protest’, though how they might identify such individuals and not inconvenience other travellers to Delhi is unclear.Nearly 60 Delhi Metro stations will be shut from 9 pm today ‘until the situation normalises’, the authorities said. Only 16 were shut for the last CJP protest.The police are coordinating with ride aggregators Ola and Uber to ‘regulate movement to central Delhi’, though it is also unclear what this means.And liquor stores across the city have been shut till Sunday.Chandrashekar is a senior editor with over 17 years of experience in reporting, writing, editing, and curating digital news content. He has worked with leading media organisations, including NDTV and Hindustan Times, handling high-impact coverage across politics, international affairs, conflict, and public policy. Over the years, he has written and edited news reports, explainers, analyses, profiles and opinion pieces for diverse audiences, focusing on breaking news, political forces shaping India and the world, economic policy, and global security. He has also helped shape editorial guidelines and train junior writers and editors. His expertise includes headline writing, search and audience optimisation, content packaging, and developing editorial standards for fast-changing news environments. His approach to journalism is rooted in accuracy, context and the belief good analysis should help readers what happened and why it matters. ... Read More