NEW DELHI: Fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel near Jantar Mantar on Saturday, prompting police to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd after tensions escalated. A Special Commissioner of Police was among the officers injured after a section of protesters allegedly hurled stones at security personnel at Jantar Mantar, police said.
The injured officers were rushed to hospital, and their condition is stated to be stable. Following the stone-pelting, security forces fired tear gas shells and carried out a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Police personnel quickly brought the situation under control and restored order.
Delhi Police personnel and the Central Reserve Police Force were deployed in riot gear at the protest site. When clashes erupted and protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, injuring a Special Commissioner of Police, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, a Sub-Inspector and two women constables, security personnel responded swiftly to contain the violence and restore order.
Police fired around 10 tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Regular announcements were made through the public address system, urging protesters to remain calm and continue demonstration peacefully. Police also appealed to the protesters not to indulge in any form of violence. Volunteers of the CJP also repeatedly urged the protesters to maintain peace.
After Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation, the protesters began dispersing from the area.
According to a senior police officer, the protesters announced the withdrawal of their protest in the evening.
“They made the announcement through the media and from their stage, and the dispersal of the public has begun. All our senior police officers and police personnel are present at the spot and are closely monitoring the situation. We appeal to the public to maintain peace and return to their homes in an orderly and peaceful manner. The metro stations have been reopened, and announcements regarding this are being made at the venue,” the officer said.
Anticipating a large turnout over the weekend, police had already stepped up security arrangements. Additional CCTV cameras were installed around the protest site, while more barricades were erected to regulate crowd movement and maintain law and order. Police have registered a total of 15 FIRs at different police stations across the New Delhi district in connection with the protest.
