Agencies | New Delhi:
Two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) were injured as protests in central Delhi turned violent on Wednesday, prompting Delhi Police to register 10 FIRs and launch an extensive investigation into the clashes.
According to Delhi Police, fresh violence erupted at around 8.30 pm near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, where protesters allegedly attacked security personnel with stones and bottles.
“At around 8.30 pm, near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, some miscreants attacked the police with stones and bottles, injuring ACP Connaught Place Vivek Bhagat,” Delhi Police said in a statement.
ACP Vivek Bhagat was immediately shifted to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for treatment. Police said the situation remained tense for a brief period before being brought under control.
Earlier in the day, ACP Jai Prakash of Punjabi Bagh sustained a forehead injury during clashes at Jantar Mantar. Police alleged that protesters resorted to stone-pelting while he was performing official duties.
“At about 4.30 pm, ACP Jai Prakash sustained an injury to his forehead while performing lawful duty when protesters resorted to stone-pelting,” Delhi Police said, adding that he was also shifted to hospital for medical treatment.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Anand Mishra said the violence later spread to the Sansad Marg area, where a Delhi Police officer was allegedly chased and assaulted by a crowd near The Park Hotel. According to the officer, at least five police personnel were injured after being dragged and assaulted during the clashes.
Representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), however, claimed that at least five protesters were also injured during the confrontation.
Delhi Police said it has intensified its investigation by analysing footage from AI-enabled surveillance cameras, CCTV networks, social media videos and recordings captured by police personnel deployed at the protest sites. Officials said those identified through the footage would have their criminal records verified before legal action is initiated. Police have also appealed to the public to share information related to the violence, assuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential.
So far, 10 FIRs have been registered in connection with the incidents. Four cases have been lodged at Parliament Street Police Station, three at Connaught Place Police Station, and one each at Mandir Marg, Barakhamba and Kartavya Path police stations.
The FIRs include charges of rioting, assault on public servants, obstruction of government duty, criminal conspiracy, damage to public property, offences under the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, among other provisions. Police have not disclosed the number of arrests made.
According to Delhi Police, the violence erupted after protesters attempting to march towards Parliament were stopped by security personnel, leading to confrontations, attempts to breach barricades and alleged stone-pelting at multiple locations, including Parliament Street, Connaught Place and adjoining areas.
Police said more than 60 protesters and 118 police personnel were injured in the clashes, while 15 to 20 government vehicles, including police vehicles, were damaged. Security has since been intensified across the New Delhi district with additional deployments at sensitive locations.
