Tear gas fired, officers injured as violence erupts minutes before Pradhan’s resignation
Shortly before the announcement of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation on Saturday, violence was reported near the CJP protest site at Sansad Marg. According to police, some protesters threw stones and water bottles at police personnel and members of the media. Security forces responded by firing tear gas shells and dispersing the crowd.
The incident began around 2 pm when a group of protesters reportedly became aggressive. Police sources stated that stones and water bottles were thrown at security personnel and journalists present at the site. A cameraperson from ABP News was reportedly injured during the incident.
Speaking to The Pioneer at Jantar Mantar, a Delhi Police personnel, requesting anonymity, said, “We had to control the crowd as they were throwing stones and filled water bottles at police and media. No lathicharge was done; we only used tear gas.”
Police sources said that after the stone-pelting, security personnel used a mild lathicharge to prevent further escalation and disperse the crowd. Special Commissioner of Police Anil Shukla of the Special Cell was among those injured while supervising crowd management at the protest site, according to police sources.
Two other police officers were also injured and taken to hospital. Their condition is reported to be stable. Police said the violence began when senior officers moved closer to regulate the crowd and maintain security. At that point, a section of protesters reportedly began pelting stones. The injured officers were taken for medical treatment.
The stone-pelting led to brief disorder in the area before police pushed protesters back and restored order. Additional reinforcements were deployed at key locations, and senior officers continued to monitor the situation. The Delhi Police maintained that its priority remained ensuring peaceful demonstrations and maintaining law and order at Jantar Mantar.
According to police, 15 FIRs have so far been registered across police stations in New Delhi district in connection with incidents linked to the ongoing protests.
More than 200 police personnel have sustained injuries since the agitation began, while over 65 protesters have also been injured. Police said legal action is being taken against those found responsible for the violence. Security remains heightened in and around Jantar Mantar and the Sansad Marg area to prevent further incidents.
