Delhi Police Officers Assaulted and Bitten During Opposition Protest
Delhi police personnel report being physically attacked, bitten, and injured by protesters during a Congress-led demonstration in the capital.
Several Delhi police personnel have come forward with harrowing accounts of being physically assaulted, bitten, and injured while attempting to maintain law and order during a Congress-led protest on Wednesday. The officers, who were tasked with enforcing Section 163 restrictions, claim they were targeted by demonstrators even as they attempted to manage the crowds peacefully.
"They Snatched Our Caps and Pushed Us Down"
Constable Devender Sandhu described a scene where police were attempting to calmly advise a gathering to disperse and move into police buses in compliance with local restrictions. According to Sandhu, the situation turned violent without provocation.
"We were peacefully explaining to them, under protection, that the curfew of 163 is in effect here. Please leave. So we told them, but they didn't listen," Sandhu stated. He recounted how the party cadres targeted their identity and dignity, noting, "They broke our nameplates first, then they snatched the caps off our heads and threw them away. Then they pulled us from behind and pushed us down."
Sandhu reported sustaining significant injuries, including a deep wound to his waist and a hit to the back of his head, despite maintaining that the police were only performing peaceful detentions.
Allegations of Kicking and Verbal Abuse
Head Constable Bhupender Ahlawat echoed these sentiments, highlighting the contrast between police conduct and the actions of the protesters. He pointed to video evidence to argue that officers were being careful not to touch women or use excessive force.
"Even in the pushing and shoving, if someone falls... They were forcefully pushing us down, and on top of that, they were kicking us," Ahlawat said. He added that while officers often went out of their way to help protesters by picking up dropped phones or cameras, they were met with physical aggression in return.
A female constable, who also alleged she was assaulted, expressed the emotional toll of the incident, stating it felt deeply wrong to be attacked while simply performing her official duties.
"They Bit Me": Constable Reports Brutal Attack
In one of the most intense accounts, Constable Ankit Kasana alleged that he was not only physically attacked but also bitten by demonstrators during the chaos surrounding the detention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Kasana described a scene where supporters blocked police vehicles, with some individuals lying down in front of cars to prevent movement. He claimed that a group of 30 to 35 men and women surrounded him while he was attempting to secure the area.
"Some leaders tried to hijack that car, forcefully trying to snatch the keys. As soon as they saw that I was alone and sir was inside, someone grabbed my collar from behind, tore my uniform, and broke my button too," Kasana said. He further alleged that the crowd abused him, scratched him with fingernails, and bit him.
Following the assault, Kasana was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in Delhi for medical examination and treatment.
Legal Action Underway
The Delhi Police have moved to take legal action following the unrest. As of Thursday, the department confirmed that three FIRs have already been registered in connection with the Wednesday protests, with authorities stating that more cases are expected to be filed as investigations continue.