New Delhi : Stone-pelting incidents allegedly involving protesters and political activists of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued in central Delhi for over six days, but police exercised restraint to prevent further escalation, according to security officials familiar with the developments.
The officials shared details of the locations that emerged as flashpoints during the protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, along with information about government property that was damaged or went missing. HT accessed the list.
According to the officials, a section of people with political interests and certain political parties entered the gathering of genuine students at Jantar Mantar and allegedly triggered violence.
The situation escalated on July 20 during the CJP’s march towards Parliament, when the House was in session. Clashes broke out, following which police used a cane charge and tear gas amid allegations of excessive force.
Security officials said the police action should not be viewed separately, claiming it followed repeated warnings against aggressive behaviour, including stone-pelting and attempts to break barricades in a high-security area.
The officials said incidents of stone-pelting continued even after the violence during the Parliament march and lasted until July 25, when the CJP called off its protest after the government accepted its demands, including the resignation of then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
They added that police managed the situation without further escalation due to the sensitivity of the issue.
According to a document accessed by HT, the protest-related flashpoints were spread across a nearly 2-kilometre area around Parliament, covering important roads and intersections rather than being restricted to one location.
The places where incidents were reported included Gol Dak Khana, Tolstoy-Janpath Crossing (Restaurant Corridor and Parking), the Rafi Marg barricade near Rail Bhawan, Jantar Mantar, Outer Circle near the LIC Building in Connaught Place, several points along the Tolstoy-Sansad Marg corridor, Sansad Marg near the SBI Building, Raisina Road near the Press Club of India, and the Regal Building area towards the Sansad Marg-Tolstoy red light.
The document stated that the Rafi Marg barricade near Rail Bhawan was the closest location to Parliament, while the other spots were located between 0.8 km and 2 km away. Stone-pelting was reported at all these locations.
The list also mentioned the damage and loss of government property during the protests. It stated that 110 barricades and 171 ropes were damaged or missing, along with equipment including a wireless set, a body-worn camera, 10 handheld metal detectors (HHMDs), two public address systems, 15 loudhailers, 10 fire extinguishers, four wire cutters and an X-ray baggage scanner.
Protective equipment reported damaged or missing included 355 helmets, 285 body protectors, 54 shields, 10 torches, 24 first-aid boxes and 12 blankets.
The document further stated that 29 official vehicles, including cars, buses, motorcycles and tempos, were affected. A water tanker, a DTC bus and one public vehicle were also damaged.
It added that 244 police personnel and 209 civilians suffered injuries that were recorded as Medico-Legal Cases (MLCs).
Security officials had earlier told HT that the use of force during the CJP’s Parliament march came after a series of events, including repeated warnings, barricade breaches, vehicle damage and continued unprovoked heckling of police personnel and the press.
According to a widely reported internal Delhi Police report submitted to the government, facial recognition technology helped identify more than 100 people facing murder charges and hundreds of others accused in cases related to robbery, sexual offences, Arms Act violations and narcotics during the CJP march violence.
