MORE than 118 police personnel, including several senior officers, were injured and around 70 protesters were detained on Monday, as Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” protest march turned violent in the New Delhi area, police said. Delhi Police released a statement mentioning these figures and their account, accusing protesters of displaying “unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour” during the protest and attacking security personnel, damaging Government vehicles and public property. “During today’s protest by CJP in the New Delhi area, the protesters displayed unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour. Despite repeated warnings and lawful directions issued by the police, they refused to disperse and deliberately violated the prohibitory orders in force,” read the police statement. The protesters attacked police personnel with stones and other objects, attempted to breach police barricades, vandalised police and other government vehicles, damaged public property, and resorted to large-scale violence, posing a serious threat to public order, the security arrangements in place, and the safety of police personnel performing their lawful duties, it read.

 

“During the scuffle, around 60 protesters were also reported to get injured. The medico-legal examination (MLC) of the remaining injured police personnel is underway,” the statement said. According to the police, the violent mob also caused extensive damage to public property. “The violent mob also caused extensive damage to public property. Around 15 to 20 Government vehicles, along with other Government property, were vandalised during the incident,” it added. Police said around 70 protesters have been detained and legal proceedings have been initiated. Earlier in a day, Delhi Police lobbed tear gas shells and wielded sticks on Parliament Street as thousands of protesters marched towards Parliament where MPs gathered for the first day of the Monsoon Session. The protest, called by online sensation Cockroach Janta Party for education reforms, was joined by student groups AISA, KYS, SFI, and many professionals.