Bhim Army chief, 95 others in judicial custody for rioting
The local court in national capital on Thursday sent Chandrashekhar Azad along with 95 other protestors to 14 days judicial custody following the charges of rioting, attempt to murder and unlawful Assembly. The Dalit leader and around 95 others were detained on Wednesday night from Tughlakabad area after protest by Dalits against the demolition of a Ravidas temple turned violent, prompting the police to resort to “mild lathicharge” and use tear gas to disperse the crowd.
After the mob took a violent turn, around six police personnel were injured while 15 protestors also sustained minor injuries.
“Station House Officer (SHO) of Jaitpur police station, Anand Prakash, head constable Narendra and sub Inspector Jitender sustained severe injuries, after they were attacked with a sharp edged weapon. They were discharged after a treatment at the hospital,” said a senior police official.
“The police have also recovered several wooden sticks (lathis) and iron rods from the spot, where most of the rioters were detained. Crime team also inspected the spot,” said Chinmoy Biswal, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), South-East district.
“Police teams and CRPF have been deployed near the site as a precautionary measure,” the DCP added.
Meanwhile, condemning the incident, an umbrella body of Dalit groups, which protested the demolition of a Ravidas temple in the national capital’s Ramlila Maidan said that the march to the disputed site in the area on Wednesday evening was a personal decision of a few people.
Ahosk Bharti, the convenor of the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir Sanyukt Sanrakshan Samiti said that those, who marched to the site of the temple, had gone themselves.
“No directions were issued by Samiti regarding the march towards site.
People had gone on the site on their own will. We condemn the violence, but people should know it was the police that used force against the protesters first,” he claimed.
Mr Bharti said the protesters had resolved to install a statue of Sant Ravidas at the site of the temple demolished by the DDA on August 10 on the orders of the Supreme Court.
“We will do it sooner or later, but in a peaceful manner. Some people became emotional Wednesday evening and the protest took a violent turn. It was a one-day protest at the Ramlila Maidan and people, who had come from various states, are now returning to their homes,” said Mr Bharti.