Delhi protests over voter roll deletions spark mass arrests and lockdown
Democracy Now! reported that on 12 October thousands of protesters gathered in New Delhi to denounce the removal of 130 million names from voter rolls, prompting a citywide lockdown and the arrest of many demonstrators, while opposition leaders called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign. Earlier, the Cockroach Janta Party had announced a nationwide march for 10 October in New Delhi if the commissioner did not step down, DW. com said. Delhi authorities responded by deploying roughly 43,000 security personnel, suspending internet services and detaining party leaders to prevent the rally, DW.
com reported. On the day of the planned protest, police detained hundreds of demonstrators and several movement leaders, NPR noted. After the crackdown, three party leaders were released on the condition that they maintain peace for a year, CBS News said, and they subsequently pledged to hold further peaceful demonstrations, DW. com added.
