A Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) was injured after fresh violence broke out in Connaught Place on Wednesday evening, with police alleging that miscreants attacked security personnel
with stones and bottles during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest.
According to Delhi Police, the incident occurred at around 8.30 pm near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, where some miscreants allegedly targeted police personnel.
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“At around 8.30 pm, near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, some miscreants attacked the police with stones and bottles, injuring ACP Connaught Place Vivek Bhagat,” Delhi Police said.
Police said senior officers immediately shifted ACP Vivek Bhagat to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for treatment.
“The situation was tense for a few minutes, but now there is peace,” police officials said.
SECOND ACP INJURED DURING DAY-LONG PROTEST
The latest incident came just hours after another Delhi Police ACP sustained injuries during clashes at Jantar Mantar earlier in the day.
Delhi Police said ACP Jai Prakash, ACP/Punjabi Bagh, suffered a forehead injury after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting while he was performing lawful duty.
“At about 4.30 PM, ACP Jai Prakash, ACP/Punjabi Bagh, sustained an injury to his forehead at Jantar Mantar while performing lawful duty, when the protesters resorted to stone-pelting,” Delhi Police said.
“One of the stones hit the ACP on his forehead. He has been shifted to the hospital for medical treatment. Further updates will be conveyed as and when received,” they added.
POLICE SAY MULTIPLE PERSONNEL, PROTESTERS HURT
Additional DCP (New Delhi) Anand Mishra said the violence escalated near Sansad Marg when a Delhi Police officer was allegedly chased and assaulted by a crowd.
According to Mishra, at around 8.30 pm, a Delhi Police officer was chased and beaten near Sansad Marg close to The Park Hotel, where he was allegedly struck multiple times on the head with sticks.
He further said Cockroach Janta Party volunteers were later brought in by police to help calm the crowd. According to the officer, at least five police personnel were injured after being dragged and assaulted during the clashes.
The CJP volunteers, however, claimed that at least five protesters were also injured in the clashes that took place on Wednesday.
AI CAMERAS, CCTV FOOTAGE BEING USED TO IDENTIFY ACCUSED
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has intensified its investigation into the violence and is using its network of AI-enabled surveillance cameras to identify those allegedly involved in attacking police personnel and damaging public property.
According to police sources, footage from CCTV cameras installed across the New Delhi district is being analysed, while investigators are also examining social media videos and recordings made by police personnel deployed during the protest.
Police said those identified through the footage would have their criminal records verified before legal action is initiated.
Citizens have also been urged to share information about those allegedly involved in the violence, with police assuring that informants’ identities would remain confidential.
10 FIRS REGISTERED, PROBE CONTINUES
Police said 10 FIRs have so far been registered in connection with the violence.
According to the breakup shared by police, four FIRs have been registered at Parliament Street Police Station, three at Connaught Place Police Station and one each at Mandir Marg, Barakhamba and Kartavya Path police stations.
The cases include allegations of rioting, assault on public servants, obstruction of government duty, damage to public property, criminal conspiracy, offences under the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, among other charges.
Police have not disclosed the number of arrests made so far.
The clashes stem from the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party-led protests over the NEET exam paper leak and other demands.
According to police, violence erupted after protesters attempting to march towards Parliament were stopped by security personnel, leading to confrontations, attempts to breach barricades and alleged stone-pelting at multiple locations around Parliament Street, Connaught Place and adjoining roads.
Police said more than 60 protesters and 118 police personnel were injured in the violence, while 15-20 government vehicles, including police vehicles, were damaged.
Security has since been strengthened across the New Delhi district with additional deployments at sensitive locations.
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