HighLights
  1. Violent NEET protest at Jantar Mantar injured four, including two ACPs.
  2. Clashes involved stone-pelting, leading to police use of force.
  3. CJP demands Education Minister's resignation amid widespread demonstrations.

Jagran Correspondent, New Delhi: Protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar on Thursday morning to protest the NEET paper leak and demand education reforms following violent clashes at the site the previous evening. The demonstration, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), turned violent on Wednesday when protesters pushed police, threw water bottles, and pelted stones in two separate incidents.

The first altercation broke out around 4:30 PM, when some protesters began pelting stones at the police, injuring Punjabi Bagh ACP Jaiprakash. Police subsequently cleared the area using mild force.

The second incident occurred around 8:30 PM near the NDMC intersection and Tolstoy Marg as protesters resumed stone-pelting. Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel brought the situation under control within 10 minutes using tear gas and a lathi charge. Three police officers, including ACP Vivek Bhagat, were injured and admitted to RML Hospital for treatment. Following the unrest, the atmosphere at Jantar Mantar remained tense overnight under a heavy police presence.

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Sonam Wangchuk Sets New Condition To End Hunger Strike

Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast for the last 25 days, has asked the Central government to provide an assurance to him that no punitive action would be taken against the young protestors for participating in the movement.

"I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the Government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement. Their only "offence" has been to raise their voice for a fair and accountable education system," Wangchuk said.

"If such an assurance is given, I shall end my fast with faith that the Government has heard not only my appeal but also the aspirations of lakhs of young Indians. In the absence of such an assurance, I will be forced to continue my fast indefinitely. I also hope that there will be no further use of excessive police force to repress the movement," the activist further added.

"I will also appeal to the peacefully protesting students to halt the movement for now and enter into dialogue with the government," he urged the CJP protestors in his letter.

Kejriwal Warns Against Police Action On Protesters

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal posted a video warning the government against a potential crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar. "The increased security at Jantar Mantar seems to indicate that the government will take action against the protesters. Therefore, I appeal to the government not to make such a mistake, because these are Gen Z and they will not be afraid of anyone." Kejriwal said.

CJP Protest Expands To Parliament Street And Tolstoy Marg

Demonstrations over the NEET paper leak expanded beyond Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street and Tolstoy Marg on Wednesday, with around 30,000 protesters gathering in the area.

Scuffles broke out on Parliament Street when a section of the crowd began moving toward the Parliament building. The situation stabilised after CJP spokesperson Saurav Das appealed to the crowd to stop and security forces stepped in. Groups of protesters subsequently began moving toward Ashoka Road and Janpath, prompting authorities to close Parliament Street, Tolstoy Road, and Jantar Mantar to traffic.

ALSO READ: PIL Filed In Delhi HC Seeking NIA Probe Into CJP's March Over Suspected Foreign Funding, Conspiracy To Destabilise India

As a precautionary measure, entry and exit gates at 16 nearby metro stations, including Janpath and Connaught Place, have been closed. However, protesters continued to arrive from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana.

In response to the growing crowds, the Ministry of Home Affairs deployed 20 CRPF companies from West Bengal for security duty.

CJP Presses For Talks At Neutral Venue

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das stated that the police conveyed a message from Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda's residence asking for another round of talks, which the organisation rejected. Das stated that further talks would only take place at Jantar Mantar or any nearby neutral venue. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka added that demonstrators would not step down until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

(With Inputs From Jagran.com)


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