30 hurt in AAP-police clash; Kejriwal ends protest

At least 30 people, including 19 policemen, were injured Tuesday when Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters clashed with the police during a sit-in here. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday evening called off his street protest followed an appeal by Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung.

Over 100 AAP protesters Tuesday forcefully entered Rafi Marg that leads to the protest site after pushing through barricades, resulting in a clash with the police.

Earlier, Kejriwal said he was determined to continue the protest near the Rail Bhavan, where he and his cabinet members were stopped Monday while on their way to the union home ministry to demand that the Delhi Police be brought under their control and action taken against five police officers.

Police tried to stop the advancing AAP volunteers who did not pay heed, resulting in a scuffle.

"At least 11 people were injured in the clash and were taken to hospital while 18 policemen were hurt," a police officer told IANS.

"One of our policeman suffered a broken nose," said the officer.

Meanwhile, an AAP leader said three people, including a woman, have been admitted to a hospital while six others who received minor injuries were discharged.

The AAP supporters had earlier pelted stones at police officials and injuring constable Dinesh Gupta, posted at the Mukherjee Nagar police station, who was hurt near his eye and was rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where his condition was stable.

"They (AAP) are pelting stones intermittently. We will take legal action as required," Joint Commissioner of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena told IANS.

A journalist, Nagendra Nath Mishra, who tried to enter the protest site was allegedly beaten up by police.