CJP protest turns violent as miscreants resort to stone-pelting, five cops injured

PTC News Desk: Several Delhi Police personnel, including two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), two inspectors and another policeman, were injured after protesters linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) clashed with security forces near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday evening. 

The violence forced the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Delhi Police to use limited force and fire tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.

According to Delhi Police, the clash began around 8:30 pm near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place when some protesters allegedly pelted stones and threw bottles at police personnel. ACP Vivek Bhagat of the Connaught Place division was injured in the incident and was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for treatment. Police said the tension lasted for a short time before the situation was brought under control.

Police sources said the protesters had initially gathered at Jantar Mantar before marching towards Tolstoy Marg, where the protest turned violent. During the clash, some protesters allegedly attacked Delhi Police and RAF personnel with stones and bottles.

According to officials, security personnel first tried to convince the protesters to leave peacefully. Police also called CJP leaders and organisers to the spot and asked them to calm the crowd, but officials claimed the protesters did not listen, even to their own organisers. As the situation worsened, protesters allegedly pelted security forces with large stones. Police said some people in the crowd were carrying sticks, while others had swords and khukhris. After this, the RAF and Delhi Police used limited force and fired two to three tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Police claim mob tried to attack officer

Police said this was the third straight day of clashes between protesters and security personnel. Officials claimed that anti-social elements had been joining the protest in the evening, making the situation more tense.

According to police, a group of protesters surrounded a policeman and allegedly tried to lynch him by repeatedly assaulting him. They also claimed the crowd abused the officer and raised provocative slogans to encourage others to attack him.

To bring the situation under control, the RAF and Delhi Police again used limited force and fired two to three tear gas shells before clearing the area. Officials said the violence has now been controlled, but heavy security remains deployed around Jantar Mantar and nearby roads.