Stones Pelted, NH-44 Blocked In Datia As Narottam Mishra Supporters Protest BJP Ticket Snub; 8 Cops Injured

Violence broke out in Madhya Pradesh's Datia after the BJP named Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the Assembly bypoll, triggering protests by supporters of senior leader Narottam Mishra.

Heavy police deployment in Datia after BJP leader Narottam Mishra's supporters clashed with security personnel during protests over the party's bypoll ticket decision.

Source : ANI

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• BJP denying Narottam Mishra bypoll ticket sparked violent protests.
• Supporters blocked highway, pelted stones; police fired tear gas.
• Injured police, made arrests; highway traffic gradually restored.
• Ashutosh Tiwari was selected; bypoll follows MLA's disqualification.

A protest over the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision to deny former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra a ticket for the Datia Assembly bypoll turned violent, with supporters allegedly pelting stones at police, injuring several personnel and blocking National Highway-44 for nearly 12 hours.

The unrest erupted hours after the BJP on Friday announced Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the July 30 bypoll, a decision that came as a setback for Mishra, who was widely expected to contest the seat.

Stone Pelting, Tear Gas During Protest

Thousands of Mishra's supporters staged a 'chakka jam' on NH-44, bringing traffic to a standstill and causing a congestion stretch of nearly 20-25 kilometres. Officials said the blockade also affected adjoining districts.

According to police, repeated appeals by the administration to end the protest failed. Around 4 AM, protesters allegedly began pelting stones at police personnel, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Nearly eight police personnel, including senior officers, sustained injuries in the violence and were admitted to hospital.

Police Blame 'Hooligans' For Violence

Datia Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal said over 3,000 people participated in the protest and accused them of attempting to disrupt normal life.

"More than 3000 hooligans attempted to vitiate the atmosphere in Datia city yesterday. They attempted to shut down markets. They have been sitting here since 6 PM yesterday for 'chakka jaam'. Collector and I spoke to them again and again to leave from here and withdraw the 'chakka jaam' here," Khandelwal said.

He added that protesters suddenly began pelting stones at police despite repeated requests to disperse.

"Around 4 AM, they suddenly pelted stones at Police. Police resorted to tear gas shells, following which the stone pelting intensified. 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," the SP added.

Police said some protesters have been taken into custody while efforts are underway to identify others involved.

Administration Says No Lathi Charge Used

Datia District Magistrate Swapnil Wankhade said authorities had tried to persuade the protesters to clear the highway before the situation turned violent. He said the traffic jam persisted until 5 AM, lasting roughly eleven hours and stretching for 20 to 25 kilometres. About four districts were affected: Datia, Jhansi, Shivpuri, and Gwalior, with Gwalior being the most impacted.

"Vehicles were overturned, and windows were smashed, including those of three or four police vehicles and several trucks, resulting in widespread violence...There was an 11.5-12-hour jam in which many buses were stuck, an ambulance was stuck. We attempted to reason with the protestors, but as soon as we arrived, stones were pelted at us. Yet, throughout this, the Datia administration and police did not resort to a lathi-charge or retaliatory stone-pelting," Wankhade said.

Heavy police deployment continues across Datia as traffic on NH-44 was gradually restored.

#WATCH | Datia, MP | Heavy security deployed at the spot where supporters of former State Home Minister Narottam Mishra pelted stones at Police in Datia as they protested after the BJP denied him a ticket for the upcoming assembly bypoll.

Thousands of his followers blocked… pic.twitter.com/9Yj9JKiI7P

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 11, 2026

BJP Picks Ashutosh Tiwari For Datia Bypoll

The BJP on Friday announced Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the July 30 Datia Assembly bypoll, overlooking senior party leader Narottam Mishra, who was reportedly expecting the ticket and had even purchased a nomination form.

Tiwari, a resident of Sevda town in Datia and an active member of the BJP's state organisation, thanked the party leadership after his nomination.

Speaking to reporters, Tiwari said Mishra had assured him of his support. "Mishra is a very senior leader, my guardian, and he said he will campaign for me and the party."

However, the announcement sparked protests by Mishra's supporters, some of whom blocked the highway by lying on the road and threatened to quit the BJP if the former minister was not fielded.

The bypoll was necessitated after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following his conviction and three-year sentence in a cheating case by a Delhi court in April. Although Bharti later secured bail, the conviction led to the vacancy. Polling for the Datia seat will be held on July 30, with counting of votes scheduled for August 3.