Violent clashes erupted between police and protesters in Haryana's Hansi during the Independence Day function attended by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The confrontation left about six police personnel, including Hansi SP Vinod Kumar, and several protesters injured.
Clashes erupt at CM's Independence Day event in Hansi
The state-level 80th Independence Day function coincided with the violent clashes. Protesters demanding the arrest of all accused in the murder of dairy operator Jeevan Kundu clashed with police as they tried to force their way towards the state's I-Day event, according to The New Indian Express.
The Hansi SP, accompanied by some cops, some of whom were in plain clothes, was seen throwing stones at protesters. The SP suffered a minor injury to his wrist and was seen with it bandaged with a handkerchief, as reported by The Tribune.
Police and protesters exchange stones during confrontation
Later, the SP said protesters were pelting stones and the police responded in kind to keep them at bay. The protesters had announced they would oppose the CM's programme to register their dissent over the alleged failure of authorities in the Jeevan Kundu murder case.
"Protesters were pelting stones and the police responded in kind to keep them at bay." — Hansi SP Vinod Kumar via The Tribune
The clashes left about six police personnel injured along with several protesters, as confirmed by The New Indian Express on Facebook. The protest was part of ongoing tensions over the murder case that has drawn significant public attention in the region.
Our Take: Violence undermines the protest's purpose
To put it plainly, this clash is a troubling development on multiple fronts. The protesters have a legitimate grievance — they want all accused in the Jeevan Kundu murder case arrested. But the violence that erupted, including stone-pelting from both sides, does not help their cause.
The sight of a senior police officer like the SP throwing stones at protesters is deeply concerning. Police are expected to de-escalate situations, not join the fray. While the SP claims police were responding to protect themselves, the optics of a top officer engaging in stone-pelting damages public trust in law enforcement.
For the people of Hansi, this incident raises serious questions about how authorities handle public dissent. The Independence Day function — meant to be a day of national unity — became a scene of confrontation. Both the administration and protest organisers need to reflect on how such situations can be handled through dialogue rather than violence in the future.