India cracks down on ‘Cockroach’ youth protests as anger grows against Modi and election chief

NEW DELHI — Indian authorities deployed a sweeping security crackdown across New Delhi and detained thousands of protesters Saturday as India’s youth “Cockroach” movement sought to intensify a nationwide campaign against a contentious voter list revision that has fueled anger at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government and election authorities.

Police intercepted demonstrators before they could reach Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site in the heart of India’s capital, chasing off some and detaining many others. Some were dragged away before being bundled into police vehicles and taken to temporary detention centers. Several “Cockroach” movement leaders were detained before arriving, effectively crippling the protest ahead of its start.

The crackdown extended beyond the protest venue, with police stopping buses, cars and other vehicles at checkpoints on routes into the capital and searching for demonstrators.

Jantar Mantar was barricaded, while anti-riot vehicles equipped with tear gas launchers were stationed along key routes. Restrictions on mobile internet and access to parts of the city added to the hurdles facing protesters.

Police said Friday they had denied permission for the protest because the request was submitted late.

The scale of the crackdown underscored the authorities’ determination to disrupt a fast-growing protest campaign…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world