Eight police personnel were injured and traffic across four districts was severely disrupted after supporters of former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra blocked National Highway-44 for nearly 11 hours and clashed with police over the BJP's decision to deny him a ticket for the upcoming Datia Assembly bypoll.
Blockade Duration and Impact
Datia District Magistrate Swapnil Wankhede said the blockade, which began on Friday evening, continued until around 5 am on Saturday, resulting in a traffic jam stretching 20-25 km and affecting Datia, Jhansi, Shivpuri and Gwalior districts.
"The traffic jam persisted until 5 am, lasting roughly 11 hours and stretching 20 to 25 km. About four districts were affected—Datia, Jhansi, Shivpuri and Gwalior—with Gwalior being the worst hit. Many buses and ambulances were stranded," Wankhede told ANI.
Administration's Efforts and Escalation
He said the administration spent the entire night trying to persuade protesters to withdraw the blockade peacefully. "We spent the entire night trying to reason with the protesters, but they were unwilling to listen. Around 4 am, we deployed the force again to persuade them, but to no avail. Subsequently, stone-pelting began from their side. We then fired tear gas to push the crowd back," he said.
According to the District Magistrate, the protesters retreated into an office building and allegedly continued pelting stones at police personnel. "Eight of our personnel sustained serious injuries. The SDPO suffered a severe hand injury. Both the SP and ASP were hurt. I also sustained a blow to the head, though I was wearing a helmet. Vehicles were overturned, and the windows of three or four police vehicles, along with several trucks, were smashed," he said.
Police Response and Injuries
Wankhede maintained that the administration did not resort to a lathi charge. "We made every effort to handle the situation peacefully. We do not wish to take punitive action, but if they refuse to comply and attempt to come out in groups, we are prepared to take strict action," he added.
Datia Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal alleged that more than 3,000 protesters attempted to disrupt normal life in the city. "They have been sitting here since 6 pm yesterday for a 'chakka jam'. The Collector and I repeatedly requested them to withdraw the protest, but they refused. Around 4 am, they suddenly started pelting stones at the police. We responded with tear gas shells, after which the stone-pelting intensified," he said.
The SP said more than six police personnel sustained serious injuries and were admitted to hospital. He and the Additional SP also suffered injuries. "A few people have been taken into custody. Action will be taken against them. The traffic congestion is now being cleared, and police personnel have been deployed across Datia," he added.
Background and Political Context
Earlier, Assistant Superintendent of Police Manjeet Singh Chawla said efforts were underway to restore traffic by diverting heavy vehicles and ensuring ambulances and other emergency vehicles could pass.
The protest erupted after the BJP on Friday announced Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the Datia Assembly bypoll, replacing Narottam Mishra, who lost the seat in the 2023 Assembly elections.
The Election Commission has scheduled polling for the Datia by-election on July 30, with counting of votes on August 3. The seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following his conviction in a fraud case.
