Protests erupt in Datia over denial of ticket to Narottam Mishra, supporters clash with police

Supporters of Narottam Mishra staged violent protests in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, after he was denied a ticket for the assembly by-election. The demonstrations included stone-pelting at police, a traffic blockade on the highway, and a suicide attempt by a supporter.

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.'

What this means for you
Across India: Violent protests linked to candidate selection can lead to significant destruction of public property and pose serious challenges to local law and order.

In Datia: Local residents and commuters experienced severe inconvenience due to the prolonged gridlock on the NH 44 highway, so it is advisable to check local traffic alerts before planning travel.

Questions & Answers

1. Who is the BJP candidate for the Datia by-election?
The BJP has nominated Ashutosh Tiwari as its official candidate for the Datia assembly by-election.

2. What kind of protests did Narottam Mishra's supporters stage?
Supporters organized a traffic blockade on the NH 44 highway, pelted stones at the police, and one supporter even attempted self-immolation.

3. Did the police resort to lathi-charge against the protesters?
According to the District Magistrate of Datia, the police used only tear gas to disperse the crowd and did not conduct a lathi-charge.

4. How many police personnel were injured in the protests?
According to SP Mayur Khandelwal, more than 6 police personnel sustained serious injuries during the violent stone-pelting incident.

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