Group detained, released for protesting attack at Jamia Millia

Delhi Police were heavily criticised for entering the university and using disproportionate force against students. The HC is hearing a bunch of pleas seeking action in the matter.

A group of protesters — who had assembled for a candlelight march at Batla House — were briefly detained by police and released on Tuesday evening. Police said the protesters had assembled to mark the first-year anniversary of the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CCA, protests held in Jamia Nagar last year. On December 15, 2019, a protest led to clashes between police and students. Later in the evening, police entered the Jamia university campus, alleging that some rioters had entered the varsity.

Security personnel outside Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi on Monday. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)

Delhi Police were heavily criticised for entering the university and using disproportionate force against students. The HC is hearing a bunch of pleas seeking action in the matter.

Former JNU student Umar Khalid’s father, Sayed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, said that his wife and daughter were detained. “They were participating in a peaceful march organised to condemn the attack on Jamia Millia Islamia. They were detained by the police and taken to an unknown location. SHO Lajpat Nagar later told us that they will reach home within half an hour. We are still waiting for them,” he told HT around 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Khalid has been arrested for his alleged role in planning and orchestrating the 2020 Delhi riots. He has denied the all allegations.

Deputy commissioner of police (south east) RP Meena, said, “The police team removed the agitators from the spot, counselled them regarding Covid-appropriate behaviour and asked them to return home.”