AISA alleges detention of national president Neha Bora during Jantar Mantar protest

AISA members on Sunday claimed that Delhi Police picked up the student organisation’s national president Neha Bora in a private vehicle without an official number plate during a protest march against the CEC near Jantar Mantar and took her to an unknown location. They also alleged that no woman police officer was present inside the vehicle when Bora was taken away, calling it a violation of established procedure. There was no immediate reaction from the Delhi Police on the allegations.

The development came as AISA activists attempted to return to Jantar Mantar for the third consecutive day, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. They proceeded towards the protest site despite heavy police barricading and security deployment in the area.

The mobilisation began at Andhra Bhawan Circle on Ashoka Road, with protesters marching towards Jantar Mantar and raising slogans as they attempted to reach the designated protest site amid a heavy police presence, according to news agency PTI. The protesters and security personnel clashed briefly as police tried to prevent them from crossing the barricades. Visuals of the march showed Bora attempting to climb over a barricade as police officials tried to stop her.

The fresh mobilisation in Delhi came a day after more than 150 protesters were detained on Saturday. More than 500 protesters, including student activists and political leaders, were also detained during demonstrations in central Delhi on Friday. Bora, AAP leaders and activist Yogendra Yadav were among those detained that day. Police had denied permission for Friday's gathering and deployed additional personnel in central Delhi. Several roads leading towards Jantar Mantar were barricaded and access to some metro stations in the vicinity was temporarily restricted during the earlier protests.