More troops airlifted to Delhi; Centre tightens security amid NEET protest

NEW DELHI: The central government has deployed additional security forces in Delhi as protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against the alleged NEET examination irregularities intensify. Thirty companies of central armed police forces have been sent to the national capital, with many personnel airlifted in view of the urgency.

The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the deployment of the additional forces until July 27, following a request from the Delhi Police for enhanced security arrangements. The deployment includes 18 companies of the CRPF, six of the RAF, three of the BSF, one of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and two of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). A high alert has been issued across the city, with Parliament and other key government establishments placed under heightened security. Police and paramilitary personnel have been stationed at sensitive locations.

As students from across the country arrived in Delhi to participate in the protest, authorities temporarily shut 17 major metro stations and imposed road closures to prevent large gatherings. The metro stations were reopened later in the evening. Clashes reportedly broke out between protesters and police on Sansad Marg after 9 pm, during which police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

To stop protesters from reaching the demonstration site at Jantar Mantar, authorities closed key metro stations including Rajiv Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Central Secretariat, and ITO, among others. Roads near Parliament were sealed, bus services were diverted, and severe traffic congestion was reported across the city.

Authorities also disabled WhatsApp groups allegedly created to coordinate the protest and restricted the social media accounts of the Cockroach Janata Party. CJP president Abhijit Deepke said the party would continue its agitation until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.