Jantar Mantar protest resumes as CJP continues stir after violence during Sansad Chalo march

Demonstrators associated with the Cockroach Janta Party CJP continued their protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday a day after violent clashes between protesters and security personnel during the Sansad Chalo march in the national capitalThe protest resumed after CJP leaders called on supporters to continue the agitation with demonstrators gathering at Jantar Mantar despite heightened security arrangements Police and Rapid Action Force RAF personnel remained deployed in large numbers at the protest site to prevent any further escalationProtest resumes despite heavy security deploymentThe agitation follows Mondays clashes which broke out when thousands of CJP supporters and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations including the NEETUG paper leakAhead of the march Delhi Police had imposed prohibitory orders in the area and erected multiple barricades to stop protesters from moving towards ParliamentAccording to reports police later removed the protest stage and temporary tents at Jantar Mantar However protesters returned to the site early Tuesday after the Cockroach Janta Party appealed to supporters to continue the demonstrationCJP reiterates demand for Dharmendra Pradhans resignationCJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the protest would continue until the Union Education Minister stepped downOur primary demand is the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and that is why we will continue our protest at Jantar Mantar After the brutality shown by the Delhi Police yesterday many more people than those seen yesterday will reach Delhi This movement will end only after Dharmendra Pradhan resignsRanka also accused Delhi Police of using excessive force against protesters during Mondays clashesYou are beating our children and injuring them Girls were assaulted and Geetanjali maam Sonam jis wife was dragged by her hair Even our volunteers who were helping manage the protest were beaten It is clear that instructions were given to suppress and intimidate our children The entire protest site has been damaged but the agitation will now grow bigger We will not move until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns Ranka addedDelhi Police has not responded specifically to these allegations but has maintained that force was used after protesters allegedly turned violentDelhi Police say more than 118 personnel injuredAccording to Delhi Police more than 118 personnel from Delhi Police and Central Police Forces were injured during Mondays violence while performing law enforcement dutiesThe injured included senior officers holding the ranks of Special Commissioner Joint Commissioner Additional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner along with several other police personnel deployed at the protest siteIn a post on X Delhi Police said During todays violent protests more than 118 police personnel from Delhi Police and Central Police Forces including Special Commissioner Joint Commissioner Additional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner rank officers deployed on duty sustained injuriesPolice have alleged that the violence began after protesters attempted to breach barricades and damaged public property and police vehiclesPolice Commissioner visits injured personnelDelhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar visited the hospital where injured police personnel are undergoing treatment and met officers hurt during the clashesAccording to the police the Commissioner interacted with the injured personnel enquired about their condition and commended them for performing their duties under difficult circumstancesIn a statement he said Every injury on the uniform bears witness to dedication to dutyInvestigation underway as security remains tightThe protests which began at Jantar Mantar attracted students activists and opposition leaders demanding greater accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinationsDelhi Police said a thorough investigation into Mondays violence is underway while prohibitory orders continue to remain in force around sensitive locations in central DelhiAuthorities have appealed to protesters to maintain peace and comply with lawful directions issued by security personnel With the CJP reiterating its call to continue the agitation security agencies remain on alert to prevent any further deterioration in the law and order situationWith inputs from IANS