New Delhi : Violence and stone-pelting linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests reportedly continued for nearly six days after the Parliament march on July 20, with security officials claiming that law enforcement exercised restraint despite repeated attacks, damage to public property and attempts to breach security barricades.

According to officials, the unrest persisted until July 25, when the CJP withdrew its agitation after the Centre accepted key demands, including the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Authorities maintained that police made repeated efforts to control the situation peacefully even as incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism continued.

Officials said the protests initially began over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak but later saw the participation of individuals with political affiliations who allegedly incited violence, making crowd management and security operations increasingly challenging in the national capital.

The most intense clashes were reported during the July 20 Parliament march, when protesters allegedly attempted to breach barricades near high-security areas while Parliament was in session. Officials said police resorted to lathi charge and tear gas only after repeated warnings failed and demonstrators allegedly turned violent by pelting stones and attacking security barricades.

According to documents accessed by Hindustan Times, violence was concentrated within a two-kilometre radius of Parliament. Stone-pelting incidents were reported from several key locations, including Gol Dak Khana, Tolstoy-Janpath Crossing, Rafi Marg near Rail Bhawan, Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Sansad Marg, Raisina Road and adjoining intersections.

The records also detail extensive damage to government property. Officials reported that 110 barricades and 171 ropes were damaged or went missing during the protests. Several pieces of security equipment—including wireless communication sets, body-worn cameras, handheld metal detectors, public address systems, loudhailers, fire extinguishers, wire cutters and an X-ray baggage scanner—were also damaged.

Protective gear such as helmets, body protectors, riot shields, torches, first-aid boxes and blankets was either damaged or reported missing. In addition, 29 official vehicles, including police cars, buses, motorcycles and tempos, along with a water tanker, a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus and another public vehicle, sustained damage.

Official records further state that 244 police personnel and 209 civilians suffered injuries that were documented as Medico-Legal Cases (MLCs). Security agencies reiterated that police action was taken only after repeated attempts to maintain law and order peacefully.

Officials also referred to an internal Delhi Police report claiming that facial recognition technology identified several individuals with serious criminal cases among those present during the protest. Authorities said the investigation into the incidents and the role of those involved remains ongoing.