Delhi Police used sticks and batons to disperse hundreds of protestors

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Monday used sticks, batons and tear gas to disperse hundreds of protestors marching from Mandi House Metro Station towards Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was holding a protest.The protesters, including a large number of women, raised slogans against the Centre as they marched towards Jantar Mantar. A heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel was in place, with security forces attempting to stop the procession from moving forward.Visuals from the protest showed a Rapid Action Force (RAF) officer repeatedly striking a protester with a baton. Despite the blows, the protester remained standing and did not retreat as police attempted to disperse the crowd.Several police personnel and protesters were injured during the baton-charge.At around 11.25 am, protesters attempted to breach multiple barricades erected in the high-security zone, sources said.A scuffle broke out during the confrontation, leaving several protesters and police personnel with minor injuries, they added.Protesters reached close to the Parliament building, following which police appeared to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.Even as security forces attempted to hold back the crowds, hundreds of people continued to gather in batches at the Jantar Mantar protest site. CJP leaders appealed to protesters to maintain peace during the demonstration.The development comes amid the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest, with activists and youth gathering at Jantar Mantar for the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march to Parliament.Ahead of the march, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Dipke had begun his fast after Wangchuk was hospitalised on July 18, when his own 21-day hunger strike required medical intervention.Meanwhile, CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka left to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday as party workers and supporters continued their protest, demanding examination reforms.Sharing an update on X, Das said the government had reached out for talks earlier in the day. He indicated that the organisation was willing to engage in discussions on its long-pending demands, but said there was still no clarity from the administration’s side despite its outreach, adding that “the ball is in their court.”Separately, activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday urged authorities at Safdarjung Hospital to discharge him, saying his condition was stable and that he wanted to participate in the “Sansad Chalo” march to Parliament.