Family members of Delhi Police personnel injured during the Jantar Mantar protest have alleged that police officers came under attack after the demonstration turned violent, claiming that protesters breached security barricades and damaged public property.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, relatives of the injured officers shared accounts of the incidents and the injuries sustained by police personnel deployed during the protest.
The wife of an injured Delhi Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), who has served in the force for 33 years, said her husband was on duty at Jantar Mantar on July 20 when the situation escalated.
She said he had informed her earlier in the day that a large crowd had gathered and was moving towards Parliament.
According to her, she later learnt that her husband had been admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital after the crowd allegedly turned aggressive.
She claimed that police personnel were attacked with stones, flower pots, slippers and shoes, and alleged that protesters damaged barricades installed for Parliament’s security.
The daughter of another injured Delhi Police officer said her father, a Sub-Inspector, was deployed on the frontline near the barricades at the protest site.
She alleged that her father had expressed concerns that anti-social elements had joined the protest.
Recalling the incident, she claimed that on July 25, her father was dragged by a violent mob near the Jantar Mantar stage and remained unconscious for nearly four hours at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital before being discharged later that night.
According to figures cited during the press conference, more than 250 police personnel were injured during the July 20 protest.
The figures also claimed that over 110 barricades, more than 300 body protectors, over 350 helmets, more than 50 shields, and over 20 loudhailers were damaged during the violence.
In addition, 10 handheld metal detectors (HHMDs), one X-ray baggage scanner, and more than 25 government vehicles were allegedly damaged, while public property was also vandalised.
-IANS
