Maharashtra Students Allege Force and Supply Restrictions at Jantar Mantar Stir

Students from Maharashtra participating in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Monday alleged that security personnel used excessive force to disperse demonstrators as the agitation entered a tense phase. According to the protesters, water cannons were deployed during the early hours, while access to essential supplies such as food and drinking water was restricted. The claims came amid heightened security arrangements by the Delhi Police and other agencies at the protest site.

Protesters said more than 650 students from Maharashtra were present at Jantar Mantar during the demonstration. They alleged that authorities prevented food and water from reaching the protest venue, leaving many participants, including those on a hunger strike, without basic necessities for several hours. The allegations have not been independently verified, and authorities had not immediately issued a detailed response to the specific claims at the time of reporting.

Budhiraj Torne, a student from the University of Mumbai, alleged that the crackdown intensified as police attempted to disperse the crowd. He claimed that drinking water supplies were cut off and that volunteers trying to deliver food and beverages from different parts of the country were stopped. Torne further alleged that several protesters, including women and minors, sustained injuries during an alleged lathi-charge by police.

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The student also claimed that internet-related restrictions affected communication during the protest. According to him, government alerts regarding internet restrictions appeared on mobile devices, while services such as WhatsApp and Instagram were reportedly inaccessible or functioning poorly for some protesters. These claims regarding communication disruptions could not be independently verified, and no official confirmation had been issued regarding internet restrictions at the protest site.

The demonstration forms part of the wider CJP-led agitation, which has drawn participants from multiple states demanding action on issues raised by the organisation. Security has been tightened around Jantar Mantar and other parts of the national capital, with police maintaining a significant presence to manage crowds and prevent any escalation of law and order issues.

The allegations of excessive force, restrictions on essential supplies and communication issues are likely to add to the ongoing political debate surrounding the protest. While student groups have called for an independent inquiry into the reported incidents, officials are expected to present their account of the events as investigations and reviews of the day's developments continue.

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