The political landscape in the Datia assembly constituency of Madhya Pradesh has turned volatile following the announcement of candidates for the upcoming by-election. Supporters of Narottam Mishra launched a massive protest after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denied him a ticket for the seat. The situation quickly spiraled out of control as protesters blocked the highway, leading to a violent confrontation that forced the police to fire tear gas canisters to disperse the angry mob. The BJP has officially fielded Ashutosh Tiwari for the Datia assembly by-election, a decision that triggered this widespread unrest among Mishra's followers.
NH 44 Jhansi-Delhi highway gridlocked for hours
The blockade on the NH 44 Jhansi-Delhi highway persisted for several hours, bringing traffic to a complete standstill. The protesters occupied the local BJP office as well, and reports indicate that they hurled stones at police officers from the rooftop of the building. Police personnel were seen trying to take cover during the intense stone-pelting. Authorities have reported that the protesters even managed to overturn a police vehicle during the chaos, causing significant damage.
Attempted self-immolation
Amid the ongoing confrontation, a particularly distressing incident occurred when a supporter of Narottam Mishra attempted to commit self-immolation. Police officers reacted quickly, managing to snatch the bottle of petrol from the individual's grasp before he could set himself on fire. The supporter was eventually persuaded by fellow activists to abandon the attempt.
Statement from the District Magistrate
Datia District Magistrate Swapnil Wankhede addressed the media regarding the blockade, noting that it lasted for approximately 11.5 to 12 hours, trapping several buses and an ambulance in the middle of the highway. He stated, 'We attempted to engage with the protesters to reach a resolution, but we were met with stones as soon as we arrived. We were forced to use tear gas to scatter the crowd. It is important to note that the police did not resort to lathi-charge or any excessive use of force anywhere during the operation.'
Police Superintendent’s account
Datia SP Mayur Khandelwal revealed that over 3,000 individuals were involved in the attempt to disrupt peace in the city. 'They had been sitting on the highway for a 'chakka jam' since 6 PM yesterday. The Collector and I held several rounds of talks with them, urging them to clear the road. The blockade extended up to 15 kilometers, impacting the neighboring districts as well,' he explained.
Khandelwal added, 'At around 4 AM, they suddenly started pelting stones at the police force. We fired tear gas, which only intensified their aggression. More than 6 of our personnel sustained serious injuries and are currently hospitalized. I, along with the Additional SP, also received injuries. We eventually took a tougher stance and cleared the area. The suspects are now in hiding, and we have issued a strict warning: either surrender or leave peacefully. Such blockades will not be tolerated. We have taken some individuals into custody, and legal action will be initiated against them. Police forces have been deployed across the entire district to maintain order.'
