L-G to police: Go easy on protesters

After a group of women alleged that police officials had misbehaved with them during the anti-Modi protest in north campus on February 7, Delhi’s Lt. Governor has asked the Delhi Police not to use excessive force during any protest. Neelam Pandey reports.

After a group of women alleged that police officials had misbehaved with them during the anti-Modi protest in north campus on February 7, Delhi’s Lt. Governor has asked the Delhi Police not to use excessive force during any protest.

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Sources said the Lt. Governor has asked the police to exercise restraint when handling any agitation in the city.

In a meeting to review the law and order situation in the city on Thursday, sources said the Lt. Governor expressed concern over the way the police had handled the crowd, especially women.

“A group of women had met the Lt. Governor after the protest and had complained about the functioning of the police in managing the crowd. They had said not enough women personnel were deployed to handle the crowd,” said a senior Delhi government official.

A group of women, including representatives of All India Democratic Women’s Association, Students’ Federation of India and Democratic Teachers’ Front, and parents concerned had complained about the way the police had handled the protest.

“On Thursday, we met the Lt. Governor and pointed out how the police had acted against people protesting against Modi but spared those supporting him and were creating a ruckus. We informed him that there was excess use of violence by the police,” said Kopal, state secretary of SFI and one of the detainees.

“The Lt. Governor assured us that an in-depth enquiry will be conducted,” added Kopal.

Delhi police had detained nine students following the protest.