On an ordinary weekday, Connaught Place buzzes with office-goers, shoppers and tourists. On Tuesday, though, the capital's iconic commercial hub wore the scars of a day of violence. Broken glass, damaged property and a heavy security presence served as reminders of Monday's ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest. Track CJP protest July 21 live
The white colonnades and crowded circles of Connaught Place, particularly around Central Park, the Inner Circle, Outer Circle and adjoining Janpath, was one of the biggest flashpoints after thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters were stopped from marching towards Parliament, HT reported earlier.
Large parts of central Delhi remained gridlocked through the day as security personnel sealed roads leading to Parliament. Metro station access was restricted, several station gates were closed and commuters were stranded as the ripple effects of the protests spread across the capital until late evening.
As protesters spilled into the market after being pushed back from Parliament routes, the commercial district saw chaos. Roads that usually witness shoppers and office workers saw security personnel cracking down on protesters through the afternoon.
{{/usCountry}}As protesters spilled into the market after being pushed back from Parliament routes, the commercial district saw chaos. Roads that usually witness shoppers and office workers saw security personnel cracking down on protesters through the afternoon.
{{/usCountry}}Protest hotspot
Police said protesters gathered around Central Park before spreading across Connaught Place after being stopped from heading towards Parliament, PTI reported.
At least three to four security force vehicles were damaged in alleged stone-pelting, with broken windshields and shattered windows, according to police sources cited by the agency. Police also said protesters damaged four vehicles, a petrol pump and the glass windows of a shop in the Janpath area.
Cops fired tear gas shells to disperse crowds after protesters allegedly attempted to breach barricades in Connaught Place. Security personnel appealed to people to leave the area, according to PTI.
Visitors hurriedly exited the market while several shops pulled down their shutters after smoke filled the air, rendering people unable to see, speak or breathe, HT reported earlier.
The unrest left normal business in one of Delhi's busiest commercial centres severely disrupted. Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel maintained a strong presence across Connaught Place throughout the day, while reinforcements were rushed in to contain protesters regrouping at different points across Connought Place.
The ‘Chalo sansad’ march
The police violence came after tens of thousands of protesters joined the CJP's planned but unauthorised march towards Parliament over alleged exam irregularities.
Despite barricades on key roads, metro station closures and suspension of mobile internet, protesters converged on Jantar Mantar before moving towards Parliament.
By afternoon, areas including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Raisina Road, India Gate and Ashoka Road had turned into confrontation zones as police used batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, HT reported.
The clashes left visible signs across central Delhi -- overturned barricades, abandoned shoes, torn placards, broken umbrellas and water bottles scattered along Parliament Street and adjoining roads.
Delhi Police said protesters were 'violent'
Delhi Police said protesters displayed violent behaviour by attacking personnel with stones and other objects while violating prohibitory orders despite repeated warnings.
Police said around 70 people were detained and at least 118 police personnel were injured. An FIR is being registered for rioting, assault on public servants, damage to public property and other offences, while a separate case will also be registered over the alleged illegal use of drones in the high-security zone.
‘Police chased us with lathis’
Protesters, however, accused the police of using excessive force.
Rohan Singh (30), who travelled from Haryana to join the protest, questioned the crackdown. "We are on the streets demanding accountability from the government. If it is holding talks with the CJP leadership, then why are students being beaten? They are firing tear gas at us and chasing us through the market lanes with lathis," he told HT. "If some of the restaurants hadn't allowed us to take shelter inside, many more of us would have been injured."
Yogesh Prajapathi, a 26-year-old UPSC aspirant, told HT, "Many of us came guided by the ideals of Ambedkar and Gandhi. Despite the obstacles, we remained firm in our commitment to peacefully register our dissent over the state of education, but what the Delhi Police did was unfair and unjustified. There was no need for this kind of violence by them. It was just a peaceful protest by students."
By Tuesday morning, traffic had resumed through much of Connaught Place, but the market remained under tight security as authorities continued to maintain a strong presence around Central Park, the Inner Circle and adjoining roads to prevent any fresh mobilisation.
Government opens talks
Amid the escalating standoff, a two-member CJP delegation met Union health minister J P Nadda.
The CJP said Nadda sought time to discuss its demands with the government, including Wangchuk's release, Pradhan's resignation and ₹1 crore compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide.
(With PTI inputs)