Violence erupted in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district on Saturday as supporters of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narottam Mishra clashed with police and blocked National Highway-44. The unrest followed the party's decision to deny Mr. Mishra a ticket for the upcoming July 30 assembly byelection, opting instead to field Ashutosh Tiwari.
The blockade, which lasted nearly 12 hours, caused significant traffic disruptions across Datia, Jhansi, Shivpuri, and Gwalior districts. Protesters began the demonstration on Friday evening, leading to a gridlock that stretched over 20 kilometers and affected emergency services, including ambulances. The district administration attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution throughout the night, but tensions escalated in the early hours of Saturday.
At approximately 4:30 a.m., the situation turned violent when demonstrators allegedly began pelting stones at police personnel attempting to clear the highway. Authorities responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Officials reported that several police vehicles were damaged, and one was overturned during the confrontation. Eight police personnel, including the Superintendent of Police, the Additional SP, and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, sustained injuries.
Following the incident, Mr. Mishra appealed to his supporters to maintain calm and refrain from violent protests. He emphasized that while the party's decision was unexpected, grievances should be addressed through internal party forums rather than public demonstrations. The district administration has since invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to prohibit further gatherings and restore order in the region.