Tear gas, stones, bottles: Video shows late-night clash during CJP protest in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Fresh violence erupted during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest in the national capital on Wednesday evening, with an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) injured after miscreants allegedly attacked police personnel with stones and bottles in Connaught Place.According to Delhi Police, the incident took place around 8.30pm near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, where protesters allegedly hurled stones and bottles at security personnel deployed in the area.ACP (Connaught Place) Vivek Bhagat sustained injuries in the attack and was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital by senior officers.Police said the situation remained tense for a brief period before being brought under control, news agency ANI reported.The protest escalated after police allegedly carried out a lathi charge on students, followed by the use of tear gas. The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning the Delhi Police's actions.Videos of the incident circulating widely on social media show large numbers of protesters at the site. The area was also packed with police personnel deployed before the chaos erupted.The latest violence comes amid the ongoing CJP agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak, which has already witnessed multiple confrontations between protesters and police since the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march.Hours after the fresh clash, Delhi Police on Thursday said CCTV footage from the July 20 protest corroborated its claim that protesters had attacked security personnel during the demonstration.According to police, the footage shows protesters pelting stones at Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, besides vandalising public property, including smashing the glass windows of shops and a petrol pump.Police said the visuals support its version of events during the July 20 protest, when large-scale clashes broke out as demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament.Delhi Police has maintained that more than 118 police personnel, including senior officers ranging from special commissioner to assistant commissioner rank as well as several women personnel, were injured during the July 20 violence.Around 60 protesters were also reported injured in the clashes.Special commissioner of police (Law and Order, Zone-I) Devesh Chandra Srivastava on Thursday visited RML Hospital to enquire about the condition of police personnel injured during the protests and interacted with those undergoing treatment.The CJP, however, has rejected the police’s version and accused security personnel of using excessive force against demonstrators.CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke alleged that police brutally assaulted protesters, including women, during the march towards Parliament, claiming male police personnel attacked female protesters.The allegations have not been independently verified, ANI reported.Meanwhile, Union health minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda said the alleged paper leak issue should not be politicised and reiterated that the government was ready for a detailed discussion in Parliament.“We should move beyond blame and counter-allegations and discuss this. The best medium for discussion is Parliament, and we are ready for that discussion. Let there be a thorough discussion, delving into the details. What are the factors leading to the paper leak? Who are the people involved, and how has the Central Government responded?” Nadda said.The protests, led by activist Sonam Wangchuk and the CJP, are demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.The issue has also continued to disrupt Parliament’s Monsoon Session, with the Opposition insisting on Pradhan’s resignation before participating in a discussion, while the government has maintained that it is willing to debate the matter without preconditions.(With agency inputs)Get the latest City News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.