Cockroach Party-police clash in Delhi: 118 police injured, 70 arrested

Day-long chase and clashes erupted between the Facebook-based group Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and police in Delhi's Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas on Monday. At least 118 police personnel were injured after CJP supporters threw bricks and stones at them.

Police arrested at least 70 protesters from the scene on charges of attacking police, creating disorder, violent behaviour and damaging government vehicles and property, according to a statement issued by Delhi Police on Monday.

The Facebook-based group Cockroach Janata Party has been protesting on the streets since June 6, demanding an investigation into the question paper leak at India's premier IT university, the National Institute of Information Technology (NIT), and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The CJP had a pre-scheduled programme to march from Delhi's Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on Monday in support of their demands. However, shortly after the 'March to Parliament' programme began in the morning, police launched an operation to disperse the march. Eyewitnesses said police also used mild baton charges.

But within a short time after being dispersed, CJP supporters regrouped at Jantar Mantar and attempted to restart their programme. When police intervened again, clashes broke out between the two sides.

Regarding the arrest of 70 people, Delhi Police said in a statement that the protesters threw bricks, stones and other objects at police, repeatedly attempted to break police barricades, damaged government vehicles and property, and provoked large-scale violence that could seriously threaten law and order in the capital.

Among the 118 police officers injured were not only regular officers but also the Special Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner of Police, Additional Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, and several female police personnel.

The statement also acknowledged that CJP supporters were injured in the baton charge. According to Delhi Police, 60 protesters were injured during Monday's programme. Some of the injured were released after first aid, while many others remain hospitalised.