Jantar Mantar boils again: Stones pelted, 6 cops injured, internet suspended

The escalation came hours after an ACP-rank officer was injured in stone-pelting near Tolstoy Marg

NEW DELHI: Fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, with police firing tear gas shells and resorting to a cane-charge to disperse the crowd. At least six police personnel, including two ACP-rank officers were injured in the violence, police sources said.Visuals from the protest site showed chaotic scenes, with protesters allegedly pelting stones as security personnel attempted to control the crowd and restore order. In view of the escalating situation, authorities later activated internet jammers in parts of central Delhi amid heightened security arrangements.The fresh violence was sporadic, with the first incident reported near Tolstoy Marg at around 4.30pm, followed by two more incidents at approximately 8.30pm and 9pm.In the first incident, ACP Jai Prakash, posted in Punjabi Bagh, sustained an injury to his forehead at around 4.30pm while performing duty after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, according to a Delhi Police statement. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.Police sources said a second stone-pelting incident occurred later in the evening, in which another ACP and at least four police personnel were injured. The condition of all the injured personnel is stable, sources said.According to police sources, several “anti-social” elements had entered the protest site, leading to a deterioration in the situation.“They are not even listening to the organisers (CJP) and are pelting stones at personnel,” the sources said.At some locations, police alleged that anti-social elements snatched batons from security personnel and assaulted them, while stone-pelting was reported at other places.Throughout the unrest, police repeatedly appealed to protesters to maintain peace and avoid disrupting law and order.Meanwhile, the crowd at Jantar Mantar and nearby India Gate swelled significantly as the situation remained tense. Security personnel were deployed in large numbers around the protest site and adjoining areas to prevent any further escalation.The latest violence came hours after an ACP-rank officer was injured in stone-pelting near Tolstoy Marg, prompting authorities to tighten security around the protest site.(With Agency Inputs)