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Delhi protests: UN 'concerned' over mass detentions, seeks immediate release of detainees
The United Nations expressed concerns over mass detentions in Delhi amid the ongoing anti-CEC protest.
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The United Nations on Saturday expressed concerns over "mass detentions" in Delhi amid the ongoing anti-CEC protest. The international organisation called on the authorities to uphold the people's right to assemble peacefully.
The remarks came as Delhi Police detained over 4,000 people marching towards Jantar Mantar to hold a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the function of the poll body.
In a press release issued amid ongoing detentions in Delhi, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said, “We are concerned by reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi.”
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UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan also urged the authorities to "exercise utmost restraint" in tackling the protesters. "We also urge the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the broadly held concerns expressed," it said.
The CJP had planned to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi. However, Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, while heavy security and roadblocks prevented most demonstrators from reaching the site.
The group said its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and two other leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained shortly after their flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi.
Delhi Police have not issued a public statement on their detentions.
