Delhi police detained protesters near Parliament Street during the CJP Parliament march after using teargas and lathi charges to disperse the crowd [1, 2].
The clash highlights escalating tensions between civil activists and the state over the detention of high-profile figures and the right to protest in the capital's high-security zone.
Police forces broke through barricades near the Constitution Club and the Reserve Bank of India to intercept the marchers [1, 2]. The operation involved the use of teargas and lathi charges, a baton-charging tactic, to clear the area and secure the perimeter around Parliament Street [1, 2].
The protesters were marching to demand the discharge of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital [1, 2]. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike for more than 20 days [1].
Security presence had been beefed up around Jantar Mantar prior to the march as authorities anticipated unrest [2]. The detentions occurred as part of a broader effort by the Delhi police to maintain order in the vicinity of government buildings [1, 2].
No official statement regarding the number of detainees has been released, but the police continued to monitor the area following the dispersal of the crowd [2].
“Police detained protesters near Parliament Street during the CJP Parliament march”
The use of force against the CJP Parliament march underscores a tightening of security protocols around Delhi's political center. By detaining activists demanding the release of Sonam Wangchuk, the government signals a low tolerance for public demonstrations that target the administration's handling of political detainees and hunger strikers.
