Police across Maharashtra have stepped up surveillance on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists and Opposition leaders following directions from the office of the Director General of Police (DGP). The police are gathering intelligence on protests and tracking the movement of activists amid demonstrations in Mumbai, Delhi and other parts of the State demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Nagpur city police, Nagpur Rural police and Government Railway Police (GRP) have activated their intelligence networks. They are monitoring CJP activists and Opposition leaders who took part in earlier protests, including those over the NEET paper leak. Reports on their activities and planned demonstrations are being sent to the State police headquarters. A senior police official said intelligence gathering has been given priority.

 

The city police are keeping watch on activists and leaders and have deployed personnel at Samvidhan Square to prevent any untoward incident. However, only a few protesters have been gathering at the square before leaving the spot. On Saturday, the city police detained 17 persons who were protesting at Variety Square. The police are also keeping watch on other important locations to track protest activities and prevent any law and order problem. The surveillance has also been intensified in rural areas. Nagpur Rural Superintendent of Police Dr Harsh A Poddar said notices were issued to 17 CJP activists last week to ascertain whether they planned to participate in the protest in Delhi. “We are keeping watch on activities in important towns such as Umred, Kalmeshwar, Katol and Ramtek,” he said. The rural police are gathering information about local protests and the possible movement of activists to other parts of the country.

 

The information is being shared with senior officers. The GRP has also stepped up vigilance at railway stations and on trains. Railway police personnel are keeping watch on the movement of people travelling to Delhi to join the protests. They are coordinating with other police units to gather information and track the movement of protesters. The monitoring involves local intelligence gathering, surveillance at protest sites, deployment of police personnel and coordination among city, rural and railway police units. Reports from these units are being sent to the DGP's office. 

 

 

Additional District Magistrate Anup Khande has imposed prohibitory orders in the rural jurisdiction of Nagpur district until October 25 under Sections 37(1) and 37(3) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. The order prohibits the assembly of five or more persons and the taking out of processions during this period. The measure aims to maintain public peace and safety.