Delhi Police have reinforced security measures around Jantar Mantar as a student-led protest enters its 36th day [1].
These restrictions signal a hardening of the state's approach to managing the demonstrations, which have persisted following a Parliament march on July 20, 2024 [2]. The scale of the shutdown suggests an effort to isolate the protest site from the rest of the city.
Security officials have installed additional barricades linked with heavy-duty chains, which were welded into place to prevent breaches [3]. The police also shut 18 metro stations in the vicinity of Sansad Marg to limit access to the central Delhi area [1].
Beyond physical barriers, authorities have targeted the logistics of the protest. Police asked app-based service providers, including Uber, Swiggy, and Blinkit, to limit their operations within the restricted zones [4]. These measures aim to reduce the flow of people and supplies into the encampment.
Senior Delhi Police officials said the restrictions are necessary to prevent unlawful assembly breaches and maintain public order. The heightened security follows a period of volatility where 10 to 15 protesters were detained during clashes [5].
The area around Jantar Mantar remains a focal point for the demonstrations. The use of welded chains and widespread transit closures indicates a shift from temporary crowd control to a more permanent containment strategy.
“18 metro stations were shut”
The transition to welded barricades and the coordination with private delivery and ride-hailing apps represents a comprehensive containment strategy. By disrupting both public transit and private logistics, the Delhi Police are attempting to degrade the sustainability of the protest site and minimize the risk of spontaneous escalations in the high-security zone surrounding India's parliament.
