New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a security review meeting at the Delhi Police headquarters, attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior police officials, as the Capital prepares for the INDIA bloc’s proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
The meeting took place amid scrutiny of the Delhi Police’s handling of recent protests and preparations for a major Opposition demonstration against alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Officials did not publicly disclose the decisions taken during the meeting. However, police sources indicated that the review was expected to cover the force’s overall performance and several law-and-order challenges facing the Capital.
Drug Trafficking, Gangsters And Crimes Against Women On Review Agenda
According to police sources, the meeting was expected to examine issues including drug trafficking, gangsters operating from abroad, crimes against women and the overall law-and-order situation in Delhi.
The review also comes after questions were raised over the police response to protests organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), including its Sansad Chalo march in July. Allegations of excessive force during the handling of demonstrations have brought the police’s protest-management procedures under scrutiny.
The meeting’s specific conclusions, however, were not made public, and officials did not confirm whether any new directions had been issued.
INDIA Bloc Rally At Ramlila Maidan On November 1
The security review comes ahead of the INDIA bloc’s proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan against alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have linked their campaign to the broader allegation of vote chori, or electoral malpractice.
Protests against the revision exercise have taken place at multiple locations in Delhi. On Friday, more than 100 demonstrators were detained during a march towards the Election Commission headquarters.
The INDIA bloc rally is expected to draw a large crowd. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has said the alliance expects around 10 lakh people to attend, although the figure represents the organisers’ estimate rather than a confirmed turnout.
Delhi Police Grants Permission, Security And Traffic Plans Underway
The Delhi Police has granted permission for the November 1 rally and is coordinating with organisers, traffic police and other agencies to manage security arrangements and minimise disruption.
The preparations are expected to involve crowd management, traffic regulation and coordination among relevant agencies. The rally will take place as the police continues to handle its wider law-enforcement responsibilities across the Capital.
Although the security review and rally preparations are taking place at the same time, no official statement has established that Saturday’s meeting was convened specifically in response to the proposed demonstration.
Further details about the arrangements and any additional restrictions are expected to depend on official police updates ahead of the event.
