In India, the Jantar Mantar of New Delhi and its adjacent areas have been going on in phases throughout the day on Monday. At least 118 policemen were injured in brick-pelting by supporters of the youth Facebook-based group Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
At least 70 protesters were arrested by the police from the spot on charges of ‘attacking the police, creating disorder, damaging government vehicles and property’.
This information was given in a statement issued by the Delhi Police on Monday.
The Facebook-based group Cockroach Janata Party has been protesting on the streets since June 6, demanding an investigation into the question paper leak of National Institute of Information Technology or NEET and the resignation of the central government’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The CJP had a pre-arranged program of a march from New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area towards Parliament in support of the demand on Monday. But shortly after the start of the ‘Sansad Chalo’ program in the morning, police raided the place and dispersed the march. At that time, the police also used a mild baton charge, said the eyewitnesses.
But shortly after the ‘dispersion’, CJP supporters again gathered in the Jantar Mantar area and tried to resume their programme. At this time, the conflict between the two sides started after the police came forward to stop them.
A New Delhi Police statement on the arrest of 70 people said, “These protesters pelted bricks and stones at the police and repeatedly attempted to breach the police barricade, damaged government vehicles, property and incited violence of such magnitude that it could pose a serious threat to the law and order situation in the capital.”
More than 118 police officers who were injured include the Special Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner of Police, Additional Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police and several women policemen of New Delhi Police besides the general policemen.
However, the statement also admitted that CJP supporters were injured in police lathicharge. According to New Delhi Police, 60 protesters were injured in Monday’s protest.
Some of the injured have been discharged after receiving first aid, while many others are still hospitalized, police said.
Times BD/ Humaira
