Delhi Police Families Demand Justice Following Jantar Mantar Protest Violence Injuries

The aftermath of the violence that erupted during the CJP protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20 has taken a new turn as the families of the injured police personnel have come forward to share their ordeal. On Friday, the relatives of the policemen who sustained injuries during the clash held a press conference to express their pain and demand justice. They emphasized that as citizens of the country, they too have a right to justice and urged that their voices be raised in Parliament. The event highlighted the personal toll on the families of those who were on duty during the unrest.

The Ordeal of an ASI's Wife

Seema, the wife of an injured police officer, shared a harrowing account of the events that transpired on July 20. Her husband, who serves as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in the Delhi Police, has been part of the force for 33 years. He was deployed at Jantar Mantar to maintain law and order during the protest. Seema recounted that her husband left for work as usual on the morning of July 20. When she spoke to him around 11 in the morning, he informed her that the protesters were marching towards Parliament. Sensing the tension, she advised him to take care of himself. However, the situation took a turn for the worse by evening. When she finally managed to speak to him at 7 in the evening, he was already admitted to a hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.

According to Seema, her husband described how the crowd became violent and how anti-social elements had infiltrated the protest. She expressed her fear upon hearing that the protesters had broken through the barricades and launched an attack on the police officers. Her husband was specifically targeted with stones, and she credited his helmet for saving his life. Seema made a passionate appeal to Members of Parliament, asking them to discuss the issues faced by police personnel and their families. She noted that since July 20, the police have been unfairly targeted in public discourse, and only one side of the story is being presented while the reality remains different.

Children of Police Officers Speak Out

The press conference also saw emotional testimonies from the children of the injured officers. Kunjan, the daughter of another policeman, shared that her father had served in the Navy before joining the police force. On the night of July 20, around 10 o'clock, her father's colleagues brought him home. When she inquired about his injuries, he simply remarked that such incidents are part of the job. However, Kunjan emphasized that the injuries weren't minor. She revealed that the families have approached the Supreme Court and sought legal counsel to ensure their side is heard. She asserted that as citizens, they've a right to justice and expressed hope that the legal system would provide it.

Lakshya Singh Bisht, the son of an injured ACP, also shared his father's experience, while his father was on duty during the protest when he was struck on the head by stones thrown by the protesters. Lakshya pointed out that police officers are an integral part of society, yet there is an ongoing attempt to portray them as criminals. He stated that his father sustained injuries while performing his duty and often advises the family not to dwell on the negativity. Lakshya expressed disappointment that the plight of the police isn't being discussed in Parliament. He mentioned that upon learning that the other side had filed a case in the Supreme Court, the families of the officers also decided to present their version of events before the court.

Delhi Police Investigation and Criminal Records

In the wake of the violence, the Delhi Police has been conducting a thorough investigation using CCTV footage. A senior Delhi Police official stated that out of the 2,873 protesters identified through the footage, 989 individuals were found to have a prior criminal history. The charges against these individuals include serious offenses such as murder, dacoity, robbery, sexual harassment, kidnapping, and other crimes. The police are also actively searching for individuals who participated in the protest with their faces covered to incite chaos and violence.

Political Context and Parliamentary Debate

The incident on July 20 saw a direct confrontation between the Delhi Police and student protesters. The police had resorted to a lathi charge to prevent the students from marching towards Parliament, while the protesters allegedly pelted stones at the security forces, leading to injuries among several personnel. This clash has become a major point of contention in Parliament, with the opposition raising concerns over the police action, while congress MP Rahul Gandhi continued his criticism of the government on Friday, stating that the Gen Z generation can't be silenced through intimidation. The families of the police officers, however, maintain that the narrative has been one-sided and that the violence against the police must also be acknowledged and addressed at the highest levels of government.