5 Delhi cops injured, tear gas fired, internet suspended as fresh violence erupts near Sansad Marg during CJP protest

Fresh tensions erupted in central Delhi on Wednesday as the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest spilled beyond Jantar Mantar, leading to clashes between protesters and security personnel on Sansad Marg.

While the main protest site at Jantar Mantar remained largely peaceful, violence broke out on the stretch near Park Hotel after a section of protesters allegedly turned unruly. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, while some protesters pelted stones and reportedly chased security personnel.

According to the Delhi Police, five personnel—including two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), an inspector, a head constable and a constable—were injured during the clashes. A policeman was also allegedly chased and assaulted by members of the crowd.

As tensions escalated, CJP volunteers stepped in to calm demonstrators, urging them to avoid violence and warning that “one mistake will wipe off the efforts made in 25 days.” Volunteers also used a police bus fitted with loudspeakers to appeal for peace and asked protesters to sit down and refrain from sloganeering.

Authorities deployed additional police and paramilitary forces in the area, while roads leading towards Sansad Marg were barricaded using riot-control vehicles. The Jantar Mantar protest site, however, remained under control.

In a precautionary measure, internet services were temporarily suspended within a 1.5-km radius of Jantar Mantar from 6 pm Wednesday until 6 am Thursday following government orders to telecom operators.

Meanwhile, CJP volunteers removed stones from roads and traffic islands around the protest site to prevent their use during the demonstrations, even as fresh police reinforcements arrived near Parliament Street police station to maintain law and order.