Protesters in New Delhi reported being beaten and detained after a demonstration on Sunday
The protesters were released around 9.30pm. The claims were confirmed by HC advocate Gaurav Jain, who reached the site.
NEW DELHI: Many protesters detained Sunday said they were beaten and taken to a community centre in Pandwala Khurd, 38km from Rajiv Chowk, at 8pm and left without phones and medical help. Police denied claims of beatings, and said food, water and first aid were provided. “The location kept changing from Kapashera to Chhawla to ultimately this village I’d never heard of before,” he said.
They alleged minors were also detained. Nearly 38km from Rajiv Chowk, Delhi High Court advocate Gaurav Jain, found himself at a community centre in Pandwala Khurd, a village he had never heard of, while responding to an SOS by protesters detained Sunday. They alleged minors had been detained alongside other protesters. Jain reached around 8pm with other lawyers. He alleged he was stopped by cops and was not allowed to meet detainees for several minutes.
He said he then called 112 for the police control room van and also contacted the principal magistrate of juvenile justice board-7, asking her to seek a status report from the SHO on the detained minors. The protesters were then put on another police bus that was divided into 7-8 compartments using iron rods. The bus reached Chhawla police station around 6.53pm. They came around 8pm and were allowed to leave around 9.30 pm,” a senior police officer said. The protesters were released around 9.30pm.
Police arrangements continued even after the protesters were released. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi Stay updated with the latest Delhi news.
Arjun, a detained protester, said in a video message after release, that he was protesting at Connaught Place around 3pm Sunday. He said he saw the cops dragging a couple crossing the road, with no female officers nearby. They then called women constables,” he said. The protesters said they were first taken to an isolated stretch near Rajiv Chowk. “We were told to sit in rows… the cops then asked us to hand over our phones and passwords. “There was no space to run as they kept beating us,” he said. Police, however, said that claims of violence at Pandwala Khurd were baseless and false. It said that no protester was beaten up or assaulted by personnel at the site. The lawyers eventually entered in the PCR van they had called, Jain said. Police said food and drinking water were provided to the protesters, while those who had sustained injuries were given first aid. Buses were provided to facilitate their movement from Pandwala Khurd to the nearest metro stations and bus stands to access public transport and continue their journeys,” the officer said.
“The police jumped on us and detained us when we tried to help. An inspector… tried accessing one person’s photo gallery, saying he was deleting ‘aaj ka video’. When the person protested, he was slapped,” Arjun alleged. Arjun alleged that four minors were among them. Despite assurances that cooperation would ensure proper treatment, he alleged, they were beaten up. The protesters were taken to the community centre in Pandwala Khurd, where their details, including those of the minors, were recorded. “Officers had made arrangements to ensure that those detained or present at the location were provided with basic assistance and did not face unnecessary hardship. Jain, however, was caught on video pleading with the CRPF personnel guarding the gate: “IO sahab, hume andar aane dijiye. Humare bulane pe hi police aayi hai. One detainee appeared to have injuries on his hand. “They had taken away everyone’s phone, and when he resisted, he was beaten up. When I asked whether he had received medical assistance, they took him away in a van to help,” Jain stated. Police also denied allegations that anyone’s mobile phone had been snatched or that any protester had been subjected to misbehaviour by personnel deployed at Pandwala Khurd. “No woman or any other protester was harassed during the operation. Download the TOI App.