Tension gripped the area around Parliament House in Delhi as a protest over the NEET paper leak issue turned chaotic, forcing police to fire several rounds of tear gas shells to stop a surging crowd of demonstrators from pushing further ahead.
Crowd breaches barricades, faces off with police near Parliament
More than 15000 people, marching under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), advanced towards Parliament and came within just 50 metres of the building before security forces stopped them near Rail Bhawan. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, and scuffles broke out between protesters and personnel as the situation escalated.
Protest began at Jantar Mantar, security stepped up
According to news reports, the demonstration originated at Jantar Mantar, where protesters broke through several layers of security barricades and some even climbed atop DTC buses. Questions were also raised over alleged stone pelting during the march. In response, security agencies tightened vigilance around the Parliament complex. Full preparations had already been made to handle the situation at Parliament. The CISF shut Gate Number 1 as a precaution, while QRT and CISF personnel took up positions inside the premises.
AAP leaders seen on Raisina Road
Amid the unrest, several senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, were seen on Raisina Road, moving alongside the protesters towards Parliament.
Dharmendra Pradhan meets Amit Shah amid the standoff
In a significant development amid the protest, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached to meet Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting between the two ministers is being seen in the context of the mounting pressure over the NEET paper leak issue and the fast deteriorating security situation outside Parliament.
