Fresh tensions have risen in Delhi amid the ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). While the protest site at Jantar Mantar remained peaceful, tensions rose in the Sansad Marg area, where protesters and security personnel clashed.
While security personnel hit the protesters who spilled onto Sansad Marg with tear gas shells, the protesters pelted stones at the police personnel and chased them down the main radial road of Connaught Place.
According to Delhi Police, 5 police personnel – 2 ACPs, an inspector, a head constable and one constable – were injured.
Tear gas was fired after crowds near the Park Hotel overturned
The stretch from Tolstoy Marg entrance near Janpath to NDMC did not see any visible deployment of police or security personnel for some time, but police and paramilitary personnel were seen stationed nearby later with combat gear.
The situation became tense near Park Hotel on Sansad Marg, where the crowd allegedly became unruly, following which tear gas shells were fired. A section of the crowd also chased a policeman and was beaten.
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Following the escalation, the police brought volunteers from the protest site to appeal to the demonstrators to remain calm and avoid throwing stones. Volunteers told the protesters that such incidents could undermine the movement’s efforts.
Police use loudspeaker calls and move in reinforcements
As efforts were made to control the situation, a volunteer was placed on top of a police bus equipped with a loudspeaker. The bus moved through the Sansad Marg stretch while appeals were made to the protesters to maintain peace.
A CJP volunteer was also seen standing on top of a police vehicle, appealing to protesters to refrain from throwing stones.
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The crowd was also asked to sit on the road and stop shouting slogans while the authorities tried to control the growing tension. However, the Jantar Mantar protest site remained normal as the area towards Sansad Marg near the intersection was cordoned off using RPF and riot control vehicles.
Internet shutdown around Jantar Mantar
Internet services have been temporarily suspended in parts of central Delhi following an order issued to telecom service providers. The data alert informed users that internet services have been halted in the area as per government instructions.
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The order directed telecom companies to suspend internet services within a 1.5 km radius of Jantar Mantar from Wednesday evening at 6 pm until Thursday 6 am.
CJP volunteers remove stones from the protest area
Meanwhile, CJP volunteers were seen removing stones lying on roads and traffic islands around Jantar Mantar Memorial Park to prevent their use during the protest.
Police reinforcements were also transported to the area, as a bus carrying Delhi Police personnel entered the area near the Parliament Street police station.
