Delhi Police Tightens Security, Welds Barricades Ahead of Weekend NEET Protest

NEW DELHI, Jul 25: Delhi Police has intensified security arrangements across the national capital ahead of the weekend, installing additional barricades reinforced with heavy-duty chains at key locations to prevent attempts to breach security cordons, officials said on Saturday. The heightened security comes amid the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators are demanding examination reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak. According to police sources, multiple rows of iron barricades have been erected at sensitive locations in the New Delhi district, particularly around the Jantar Mantar protest site and other strategic areas. “Extra layers of barricading have been installed at vulnerable points. The barricades have been chained together and welded to prevent them from being dismantled or shifted easily. Additional police personnel have also been deployed to maintain law and order,” a police officer said. Apart from strengthening physical security, Delhi Police has also enhanced surveillance across the city. Heavy deployment has been planned in the New Delhi, Central and North Delhi districts, where authorities anticipate larger gatherings and possible attempts to march towards restricted areas over the weekend. Senior officers have directed all district police units to remain on high alert and ensure adequate deployment at vulnerable locations. Police have also been instructed to maintain updated records of history-sheeters, habitual offenders and other persons with criminal backgrounds who could exploit the protests to create law and order problems. According to police sources, facial recognition systems installed around the protest venue have identified more than 2,500 individuals with criminal backgrounds entering the area over the past few days. The system alerts field units whenever such individuals are detected, enabling discreet monitoring and verification where necessary. Police said anti-sabotage checks, intensified vehicle inspections and increased patrolling are also being carried out as part of the security plan. Authorities maintained that the enhanced security measures are intended to facilitate peaceful protests while preventing any untoward incidents or security breaches during the expected increase in footfall over the weekend.