CJP protest turns violent again, 5 cops injured as miscreants throw stones at police

CJP protesters allegedly hurled stones and bottles at Delhi Police near Jantar Mantar after moving towards Tolstoy Marg. The clash injured several personnel and led to a police and RAF response with tear gas.CJP protesters throw stones, bottles at Delhi Police team; several cops injuredSeveral Delhi Police personnel, including two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), two inspectors and another policeman, were injured after protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) clashed with security forces near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday evening, prompting the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and police to use limited force and fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.In an official statement, Delhi Police said the violence broke out at around 8.30 pm near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, where "some miscreants attacked the police with stones and bottles", injuring ACP Connaught Place Vivek Bhagat. Senior officers immediately shifted the injured officer to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for treatment. "The situation remained tense for a few minutes, but peace has now been restored," the police said, adding that security personnel quickly brought the situation under control.According to police sources, protesters who had gathered at Jantar Mantar moved towards Tolstoy Marg, where the demonstration turned violent. The crowd allegedly hurled stones and bottles at Delhi Police and RAF personnel deployed in the area.As security personnel attempted to control the situation and persuade the protesters to disperse peacefully, they were met with a barrage of large stones. Some protesters were allegedly carrying sticks, while others brandished swords and other weapons, police claimed. In response, the RAF and Delhi Police carried out a limited use of force to disperse the mob. Officials said two to three tear gas shells were fired to bring the situation under control.Police sources said officers also called CJP leaders and protest organisers to the spot and asked them to appeal to the crowd to maintain peace and disperse. However, according to the police, the protesters did not heed even the appeals of their own organisers.POLICE CLAIM MOB TRIED TO LYNCH OFFICER Officials further claimed that this was the third consecutive day of clashes between protesters and security personnel. According to police inputs, anti-social elements have been joining the gathering during the evening hours, escalating tensions and creating disturbances.Police also alleged that the violent crowd attempted to lynch a policeman, surrounding him from all sides and repeatedly assaulting him. During the attack, members of the crowd allegedly abused the officer and shouted provocative slogans to incite others to join the assault.In response to the violence, the RAF and Delhi Police resorted to limited use of force and fired two to three tear gas shells before clearing the area. Officials said the situation has since been brought under control, though heavy security remains deployed around Jantar Mantar and adjoining roads.CJP DEMANDS TALKS AT NEUTRAL VENUEThe violence came even as the Cockroach Janta Party reiterated that it would hold talks with the Centre only at a neutral venue and not at the residence or office of any Union minister.Addressing reporters at Jantar Mantar earlier in the day, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said police had informed the party that Union Minister JP Nadda wanted to hold discussions at his residence. The CJP rejected the offer, saying ministers should meet protesters among the people, but added it remained open to dialogue at a neutral venue near the protest site if security concerns existed.The party also said it would seek a sovereign guarantee from the government that no fresh FIRs or punitive action would be taken against students and youth who participated in the agitation.PROTEST ENTERS NEW PHASEThe agitation at Jantar Mantar began on June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities. The protest later gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of the students' demands.While the CJP has appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, he has maintained that he will do so only after the government gives an unequivocal assurance that no retaliatory action will be taken against protesters.The movement has also spread beyond Delhi, with demonstrations reported in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. In Patna, police used tear gas, water cannons and lathi-charge to stop protesters marching towards the governor's residence, while similar solidarity protests were held in several other states.Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Centre and Delhi Police on petitions alleging excessive use of force against protesters and directed authorities to preserve CCTV footage and other records related to the police action. The Supreme Court, however, declined an urgent hearing on a plea challenging the police action.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Jul 22, 2026 21:43 IST