Delhi Clashes: 70 Detained, Over 170 Injured as Police Block March to Parliament
New Delhi: At least 70 protesters were detained and more than 170 people, including 118 police personnel and 60 demonstrators, were injured on Wednesday as security forces blocked a march towards Parliament by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protest, which sought to draw attention to farmers' issues, turned violent when marchers attempted to break through barricades.
Police deployed in large numbers used water cannons and batons to disperse the crowd, while protesters threw stones and other objects. The Delhi Police confirmed that many officers suffered minor injuries, and several protesters were taken to hospital for treatment.
Separately, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J.P. Nadda held a meeting with representatives of the CJP later in the day. Details of the discussions were not immediately available, but sources indicated that talks focused on the group's demands and potential resolution of the impasse.
The CJP has been organising protests for weeks, demanding higher agricultural prices and loan waivers. The march to Parliament was part of a planned escalation, which authorities had prohibited citing security concerns. The government has defended the police action, stating that it was necessary to maintain public order.
Opposition parties criticised the handling of the protest, calling for restraint and dialogue. The incident adds to ongoing tensions between the government and farmer organisations, which have been widespread in recent years.
