CM Kejriwal says cops acted like agents of BJP , DCW issues notice to Delhi Police
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday criticised the Delhi Police over its handling of clashes at DU’s Ramjas college and alleged that the force had become an ‘agent’ of the BJP.
“It is the duty of police to protect the people of Delhi and not allow the ABVP and the BJP to engage in goondaism,” Kejriwal said during a press conference on Saturday.
He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold police accountable for the February 22 violence. “I hope the Prime Minister will perform his duty in an impartial way and not work like a BJP worker. The Delhi Police reports to the PM. He is not the Prime Minister of the BJP only but of all the people, including me, and he should perform his duty,” he said.
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has sent a notice to the Delhi Police over the way women protesters were allegedly punched and beaten by policemen, during the clashes on Wednesday over the Ramjas College event.
Thewomen’spanelhassetup an enquiry into the matter and sought responses from police. “The commission has come across shocking video footages and news reports wherein Delhi Police officers are seen mercilessly beating and punching women protesters,” said Swati Maliwal, DCW chairperson.
“The commission is of the view that these attacks on women protesters by policemen may also amount to molestation and need to be severely punished,” she said.
The notice has been sent to the commissioner of police, central range.
Maliwal has also appealed to all students and teachers to send complaints.
“If proper action would have been taken against the officer manhandling the lady protestor during the earlier protests for the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, a strong message would have been delivered and other police officers would have abstained from such illegal activities,” she said.
Three law faculty students had also submitted pictures and videos to the DCW saying this incident “outrages the modesty of female students”.