COPS END 11-HR PROTEST
NEW DELHI: The unprecedented protests by policemen in Delhi that started Tuesday morning ended after nearly 11 hours after assurances of action from Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and the top police officers. The clashes between the police and lawyers that started over the weekend had spiralled out of control as more than a thousand policemen gathered outside the Delhi police headquarters, demanding justice and protection. Service rules bar policemen from holding protests; the unprecedented demonstration had the Centre on its toes and caught the attention of the courts. The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the top lawyers’ bodies - the Bar Councils of India and Delhi. The home ministry called for a report. After a meeting in the evening, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal assured action. The police from Haryana and Bihar extended support to their colleagues in Delhi.
At least a thousand policemen gathered outside the police headquarters since Tuesday morning, blocking an arterial road of the city. The policemen are upset over what they perceive as a lack of the government’s concern about their well-being. The lack of any response from the government or their senior officers to Saturday’s clash at a Delhi court - where at least 20 policemen were injured -was the tipping point. The guilty have gone unpunished, and many of the
assembled policemen said they fear being targetted when in uniform.
The protesting officers have submitted a 10-point charter, which includes the
creation of a Police Protection Act. Delhi police chief Amulya Patnaik was heckled by his officers when he came to soothe ruffled feathers and persuade them to return
to their posts.
The Delhi Police is under the control of the Union Home Ministry. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, who is the Centre’s
representative in Delhi, has called a meeting with officials of the Delhi Police. At the meeting, Baijal said advocates and police are “important pillars of the criminal justice system who should work in complete harmony... it is imperative to restore the trust between the two and ensure that justice is done impartially”.
NEW DELHI: As hundreds of Delhi Police personnel hit the streets on Tuesday, the Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) briefed Lieutenant- Governor Anil Baijal who promised that no injustice shall be allowed to be done to any member of the force. Baijal, who has direct control of Delhi Police, was briefed on the situation arising out of the assault on some police personnel by lawyers at Tis Hazari court complex on November 2 and then near Saket court complex on Monday.
The L-G directed that senior police officers should visit the injured policemen to boost their morale and comfort their families. He also directed that best possible treatment should be provided to the injured advocates and police personnel, a statement issued by Raj Niwas said. "The L- G was briefed about the situation by Special CP (Intelligence) and the orders of the Delhi High Court in the matter. Special CP also apprised that a clarificatory application is already being filed in the matter," the statement said.
Baijal said advocates and police are important pillars of the criminal justice system who should work in complete harmony.
"In the wake of the recent unfortunate incident, it is imperative to restore the trust between the two and also to ensure that justice is done in the entire matter," the statement said.
The LG directed the Delhi Chief Secretary to ensure that the best possible medical treatment is provided to the injured advocates as per the High Court order.
"He also directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the injured police officers are also provided best medical treatment free of cost and advised that senior officers should visit the injured policemen to boost their morale and comfort their families. Further, suitable ex-gratia compensation be given to the injured officers of Delhi Police as well."
Baijal appealed to all concerned to maintain harmony and law and order. Hundreds of Delhi Police personnel gathered at the PHQ here on Tuesday to protest against repeated incidents of violence against them by lawyers. At least 20 police personnel and several lawyers were injured and many vehicles were damaged in the Nov 2 incident. The lawyers alleged that the police fired at them.