New Delhi: Family members of Delhi Police personnel injured during the violence at Jantar Mantar on July 20 have shared their experiences, describing the physical and emotional impact of the clashes while calling for greater recognition of the challenges faced by police officers on duty.
At a press conference on Friday, the daughter of an injured Delhi Police Sub Inspector alleged that her father was seriously assaulted by a mob while deployed at the protest site. She said he had previously served for 15 years as a Marine Commando in the Indian Navy before joining the police force and was stationed near the barricades during the demonstration.
According to her, her father had expressed concern that the gathering no longer appeared to be solely a student protest, claiming that antisocial elements had joined the crowd. She alleged that he was attacked near the main stage, leaving him unconscious for nearly four hours while undergoing treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. She recalled that when he returned home later that night, his blood stained uniform left the family devastated.
She also said it was painful to see her father criticised on social media following the incident, adding that the family later approached the Supreme Court seeking justice with the support of other police families.
The wife of an injured Assistant Commissioner of Police described the night of July 20 as one of the most traumatic moments for her family. She said seeing her husband return home injured deeply affected both her and their two year old daughter.
Seema, whose husband serves as an Assistant Sub Inspector in Delhi Police, said he had been deployed to maintain law and order during the protest. She recalled learning later in the day that he had been admitted to hospital after violence broke out. According to her, his helmet was shattered during the clashes, which she believes saved his life.
The families urged lawmakers to acknowledge the dangers faced by police personnel during large public demonstrations and called for a wider discussion on the risks officers encounter while performing their duties.
The press conference comes amid continuing legal and political scrutiny over the July 20 violence at Jantar Mantar, where clashes erupted during protests linked to the alleged examination paper leak controversy. Several police personnel were injured and public property was damaged during the unrest. Delhi Police has maintained that its personnel were deployed to manage crowds and uphold law and order, reiterating that attacks on police officers and damage to public property cannot be justified during protests.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
