Indian authorities close central Delhi park ahead of youth movement protest

Indian authorities closed a central park in New Delhi on Friday ahead of a planned rally by a youth-led movement, France 24 reported. The demonstration in the central business district of the capital city was organized by the Cockroach Janta Party, opposition groups, and student organizations. [1]

France 24 reported that the group has held near-daily protests this month to demand the resignation of India's national election authority chief. The demonstrations follow the removal of more than 130 million people from voter lists. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, tens of thousands of security personnel were previously deployed in Delhi ahead of protests by the movement. Authorities had earlier closed metro stations, cancelled trains, and suspended mobile internet services after police detained more than 2,000 people to prevent a planned mass demonstration. [3][4]

As FTMQ News also reported earlier, India's top court previously ordered the release of detained youth protest leaders. Protesters continue to demand electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while the Election Commission has denied allegations that it manipulated voters' lists. [3][4]