Tensions surrounding the ongoing NEET protest escalated in central Delhi on Wednesday evening when demonstrators allegedly clashed with Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel near Tolstoy Marg.

According to Delhi Police, the confrontation began around 8.30 pm after a group of protesters moved away from the Jantar Mantar demonstration site towards the Connaught Place area. Police alleged that some members of the crowd threw stones and bottles at security personnel, injuring ACP Connaught Place Vivek Bhagat. The officer was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for medical attention.

The police said the situation remained tense for several minutes before being brought under control.

Officials claimed that attempts were initially made to convince the protesters to disperse peacefully. Organisers of the Cockroach Janta Party were also reportedly called to the location and asked to appeal for calm. According to the police, those efforts failed to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

As the confrontation intensified, security personnel allegedly came under repeated attacks involving stones and bottles. Police also claimed that some individuals in the crowd were carrying sticks and that a few protesters displayed weapons, including swords and khukhris.

The RAF and Delhi Police subsequently used limited force and fired a few tear gas shells to push the crowd back and restore order.

Police Allege Attempt To Attack Officer

Delhi Police officials further alleged that the incident marked the third successive day of confrontations involving people associated with the protest.

According to police sources, unidentified troublemakers had been joining the gathering during evening hours, contributing to rising tensions.

The police also alleged that a member of the force was surrounded and attacked by a group of protesters. Officials claimed the officer was repeatedly assaulted and that provocative slogans were raised during the incident.

Following the clashes, additional security personnel were deployed around Jantar Mantar and nearby roads. Authorities said the area was brought under control, although security arrangements remained intensified.

CJP Seeks Dialogue At Neutral Location

The confrontation occurred as the Cockroach Janta Party maintained that it was willing to engage in discussions with the Centre, but only at a neutral location.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the party had been informed that Union Minister JP Nadda wanted to meet its representatives at his residence. The organisation declined the proposal, arguing that government representatives should meet protesters in a public setting.

However, the CJP said it would consider holding talks at a neutral venue close to Jantar Mantar if security considerations made such an arrangement necessary.

The organisation also said it wanted the government to provide a formal assurance that students and young people involved in the agitation would not face fresh FIRs or punitive action.

Protest Continues Over NEET Irregularities

The agitation at Jantar Mantar began on June 20, with protesters demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations concerning the NEET paper leak and wider examination irregularities.

The movement received additional attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of the students' demands.

Although the CJP has urged Wangchuk to end his fast, he has maintained that he wants a clear commitment from the government against retaliatory action targeting protesters before calling it off.

The agitation has also triggered demonstrations in other parts of the country. Protests have reportedly taken place in states including Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. In Patna, police reportedly deployed tear gas, water cannons and lathicharge to stop demonstrators attempting to march towards the governor's residence.

The police response to the Delhi protests has also become a legal issue. The Delhi High Court has sought replies from the Centre and the Delhi Police over allegations of excessive force and ordered authorities to preserve CCTV recordings and other relevant evidence.

The Supreme Court, meanwhile, declined to take up an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the police action.

As political negotiations remain unresolved and legal scrutiny continues, tensions around the NEET protests are likely to remain high in the days ahead.