The national capital witnessed a fresh wave of chaos and violence near Jantar Mantar as a protest turned into a violent confrontation between a mob and the police. The situation escalated rapidly at Tolstoy Marg, where individuals under the guise of protesters launched a targeted attack on security personnel. During this sudden outbreak of violence, the mob resorted to pelting stones and throwing glass bottles at the police team stationed in the area, while in the ensuing melee, ACP Vivek Bhagat of Connaught Place sustained injuries. The intensity of the attack was such that senior police officials had to personally intervene to evacuate the injured ACP and transport him to the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for immediate medical attention.
Violence at Tolstoy Marg and Injury to ACP
The incident occurred around 8:30 PM near Tolstoy Marg in the vicinity of Connaught Place. According to reports, the crowd suddenly became aggressive and began targeting the police force. The attackers, described as miscreants hiding within the ranks of the protesters, used stones and bottles as weapons, while aCP Vivek Bhagat, who was leading the police presence on the ground, became a direct victim of this violence. The atmosphere in the heart of Delhi remained tense as security forces struggled to contain the unruly elements. This latest clash highlights a worrying trend of escalating aggression against law enforcement officers during public demonstrations in the city.
Assault on RAF Personnel
This violent episode follows a similar incident that took place the previous night in the same vicinity. Visuals from the previous night near Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place depicted a harrowing scene where personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were brutally assaulted. A mob surrounded an RAF soldier, brought him to the ground, and subjected him to a severe beating involving kicks and punches, while the soldier was also subjected to verbal abuse as he was trapped by the aggressive crowd. It was reported that the RAF personnel barely managed to escape with his life after being completely surrounded by the violent mob. These recurring instances of physical assault on uniformed personnel have raised serious concerns regarding the safety of security forces during such protests.
Protests Spread to Patna
The wave of student-led protests that originated in Delhi has now reached other major cities across the country, including Patna. In the capital of Bihar, the All India Students Association (AISA), a left-wing student organization, organized a massive demonstration, while more than 5000 students gathered to participate in a march from Gandhi Bhavan towards the Raj Bhavan. The march, intended to be a show of strength, soon turned into a site of significant unrest as protesters clashed with the police force deployed to maintain order.
Police Action and Escalation in Bihar
As the protesters in Patna attempted to break through security cordons, the situation turned violent. Demonstrators reportedly engaged in stone-pelting against the police, prompting a firm response from the authorities. To disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation, the police resorted to a lathi charge. On top of that, water cannons were deployed, and tear gas shells were fired to push back the thousands of students who had joined the march, while the confrontation in Patna mirrors the volatility seen in Delhi, indicating a widespread escalation of the ongoing student demonstrations and the subsequent law and order challenges faced by the police in multiple states.