50 cops hurt, stones pelted, Wangchuk’s wife ‘assaulted’: Protest turns ugly as Delhi Police, CJP make conflicting claims | India News

CJP alleges police brutality against protesters

NEW DELHI: The protest march led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi turned confrontational on Monday, with both the Delhi Police and the party accusing each other of violence as demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament.According to police sources, more than 50 personnel were injured during clashes with protesters, who allegedly pelted stones and tried to breach security barricades in the New Delhi district. The injured officers were taken to hospitals for treatment, while security was tightened across key locations and legal action was initiated against those involved, PTI reported citing sources.The standoff escalated near Parliament Street, where security forces resorted to a baton charge after thousands of protesters allegedly attempted to push through police barricades. The confrontation continued on several approach roads till evening.Meanwhile, the CJP alleged that Delhi Police assaulted Gitanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was representing him during the Parliament march.“Geetanjali ji’s hair was pulled by Delhi Police; she was assaulted. A 12-year-old girl’s head has been broken. Forty to fifty others have also suffered head injuries. Delhi Police, what is going on!?” CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said in a post on X. Delhi police rejected these claims saying: “False information is being currently circulated on social media regarding the posts claim that an individual named Geetanjali, a 12-year-old girl was assaulted, had her hair pulled, sustained a head injury, and approximately 40 to 50 other individuals suffered broken heads. This information is false. The claims being circulated in the posts are not true. Please do not spread or amplify false or misleading information.“Responding to the denial, Das reiterated the party’s stand, writing: “To be clear: Sonam Wangchuk’s partner, @GitanjaliAngmo’s hair was pulled. She was assaulted by the Delhi Police. A brutal crackdown is ongoing at Jantar Mantar.”Later in the day, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reiterated the claims “The police has been absolutely brutal. They have broken the scalp of many students who were protesting here. Even a 15-year-old girl was brutally beaten up by a male police officer. And the male police officer even tried to grab the hair of Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Mrs Gitanjali Wangchuk. They even tried to lathi charge on her and tried to drag her out of the tempo,” he said.Videos of stone pelting also surfaced on social media with both the protesters and the police accusing each other of initiating the violence.“Why are the Police pelting stones at protesters? Was the brutal lathi charge not enough? Shocking visuals coming from Delhi,” CJP said posting a video.The Delhi Police has said that the protest is being “handled professionally” and denied any allegations of “violence or detentions” earlier today.“Some segments from the media have mentioned sporadic use of violence/detentions at Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police. It is informed that no such incident has taken place and the protest is being handled professionally,” the police statement on X said.“All are requested not to fall prey to any rumour/misgivings, and to assist Delhi Police in maintaining peace and public order at and around the site,” it said.However, videos circulating on social media appeared to show police using a lathi charge to disperse the protesters.Some Delhi Police personnel were also injured during clash with the protesters, ANI reported.Protesters participating in the march continued their demonstration despite heavy police barricading, lathi charge and the use of tear gas. Refusing to disperse, the protesters said they would not end their agitation until their demands were met and raised slogans calling for the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.The protest, which started at Jantar Mantar, caused major traffic disruptions across parts of central Delhi as heavy security was deployed to manage the swelling crowd.Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), equivalent to the former Section 144 of the CrPC, are in effect across the New Delhi district. Under these restrictions, marches, demonstrations, processions and gatherings of five or more people are barred unless they have prior permission to assemble at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar.The police said heightened security measures have been put in place with the Parliament’s Monsoon Session beginning on July 20 to maintain law and order and safeguard key government installations and protected individuals.