Delhi Police detained more than 200 people as a preventive measure while they were on their way to the ongoing CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, amid intelligence inputs suggesting mobilisation of additional groups from neighbouring states, including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, reported Times of India.Police officials told TOI that several of those detained had been listed as “bad characters” or had previous criminal records, and were taken into custody to prevent any possible disruption of law and order. The South East district police detained a total of 215 people.Officials TOI spoke to clarified that individuals with valid reasons for travelling were not stopped and that several people were released after verification.Most of the detentions took place in areas around Neela Gumbad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, the Oberoi Hotel flyover and the Badarpur border. Police also said a pistol and two knives were allegedly recovered from three individuals, who were subsequently arrested.Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) continued to remain in force in parts of the capital.In the North West district, police detained around 10-15 people with alleged criminal backgrounds over concerns that they could disturb public order. Central district police also detained a history-sheeter as a preventive measure.Several people were stopped at checkpoints near Sabz Burj roundabout in the Nizamuddin area, where police personnel checked vehicles heading towards central Delhi. Barricades were placed on roads to regulate movement, particularly of groups travelling towards the protest site.As per TOI, a 19-year-old who was stopped while travelling towards Jantar Mantar said, “Police asked to see our identity cards and demanded to know where we were going. We told them we wanted to go to Jantar Mantar but they did not allow us to pass and told the auto driver to turn away. Metro stations are shut, we have no way of reaching there now.”Police officials stationed at the barricades said restrictions were being enforced under prohibitory orders and that instructions had been issued to prevent large groups from moving towards central Delhi.Security tightened around protest siteSecurity arrangements around Jantar Mantar and nearby areas were intensified, with additional deployments at Tolstoy Marg, Sansad Marg, Mathura Road and adjoining stretches.The Sansad Marg-Tolstoy Marg intersection witnessed a heavier security presence, with barricades moved closer to the junction, restricting access towards the protest venue. Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed at key points.The main entry route to the protest site was narrowed between barricades and the boundary wall. Some protesters were seen attempting to enter by climbing over the low wall when security personnel were occupied elsewhere.Security was also strengthened at the rear entrance near Kerala Bhavan, where multiple layers of barricading were installed within a short distance. Police personnel were deployed at checkpoints to screen people entering the protest area.Officials rearranged barricades at several locations using rope-secured zigzag formations to regulate crowd movement and create controlled entry points.On Thursday, both the front and rear entrances of the protest venue remained heavily guarded, with security personnel deployed beyond the immediate protest area towards Connaught Place. Anti-riot vehicles and reserve forces were stationed nearby as a precautionary measure.While the Sansad Marg stretch towards Rajiv Chowk remained open, multiple barricading layers near the protest site reduced access to a narrow passage for protesters.Delhi Police denies crackdown plansAmid speculation over possible action against protesters, Delhi Police said on X that there was no plan to carry out a crackdown on the ongoing protest on Thursday night.The police also dismissed rumours claiming that passport cancellation proceedings would be initiated against individuals involved in rioting.With inputs from TOI