New Delhi: The by-election for the Datia Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh has turned into a major battleground. Chaos erupted on the streets after the BJP denied a ticket to a prominent leader. Angered by the decision not to field former Home Minister and heavyweight leader Narottam Mishra, party workers and supporters turned the streets into a battlefield.
Supporters took to the streets to protest the party’s decision and even clashed with the police. Agitated crowds resorted to stone-pelting, reportedly injuring more than six police personnel, including the Superintendent of Police (SP). Furthermore, the unruly crowds and chaotic situation caused a 15-kilometre-long traffic jam on NH-44, exacerbating the crisis. Protesters forcibly shut down markets and blocked roads, causing immense hardship for commuters.
Protests Turn Violent
Supporters of former Home Minister Narottam Mishra, upset over the denial of a ticket for the Datia Assembly by-election, created havoc on the streets starting Friday evening. A mob of over 3,000 people plunged Datia into violence, culminating in a heavy stone-pelting attack on the police in the early hours of the morning.
More than six police personnel, including Datia SP Mayur Khandelwal and the Additional SP, were injured in the incident; the condition of some is reported to be serious. SP Mayur Khandelwal stated that since 6 PM on Friday, over 3,000 miscreants had been intent on disrupting the peace in Datia city. The agitators forcibly shut down markets and blocked the national highway.
Key Details Provided by the SP
The agitators’ actions caused a 15-kilometre-long traffic jam on the highway, completely disrupting traffic flow. Despite repeated appeals from the SP and the District Collector to clear the blockade, the protesters refused to budge. At 4 AM on Saturday, the gathered mob suddenly launched a massive stone-pelting attack on the police. He stated that as the situation deteriorated, the police fired tear gas shells; however, the agitators did not relent and instead intensified stone-pelting.
More than six personnel sustained injuries in the process; the Additional SP and I were also injured. All the injured have been admitted to the hospital. Adopting a firm stance, the police fired tear gas shells again and managed to disperse the gathered agitators. Some individuals have been taken into custody, while others have been warned to surrender.
BJP Leader Levels Allegations Against Police
Bhanu Singh, a District Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), levelled serious allegations against the police. He claimed that they were peacefully urging the party’s top leadership to change the candidate selected for the Datia constituency. He maintained that they were voicing their demand institutionally
They had spent the entire night singing Ramdhun (devotional songs) to press their demand that the ticket be awarded to Narottam Mishra. However, he pointed to the high-handedness of the Datia Superintendent of Police and the District Collector, who confined BJP workers within the party office. He asserted that they would continue the road blockade until the ticket was granted to Dr Narottamm Mishra.
