New Delhi: Delhi Police plans a major crackdown on people accused of violence during protests over the alleged NEET paper leak near Jantar Mantar, police
sources said on Thursday.
Those identified as participants in the violence could face action under relevant legal provisions. Police also plan to start the process of recommending the cancellation of their passports, according to sources.
Investigators have begun efforts to identify the people responsible and determine their roles in the clashes. Officials said police would take further legal and administrative action after gathering evidence.
ACP suffers injuries
The proposed action follows a stone-pelting incident near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday evening in which Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat suffered a head injury and several bruises.
Bhagat, who serves in the Connaught Place division, was taken to the emergency department of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after the incident.
Doctors found bruises on his arms, legs and shoulder. They also detected swelling in the parieto-occipital region at the back of his head. The ACP reported bleeding from his ear and episodes of vomiting.
The hospital’s Department of Surgery examined Bhagat and provided the required medical care. He later chose to continue his treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi. RML Hospital discharged him at his own request.
Six personnel hurt
Police sources said another ACP and four other police personnel also suffered injuries in the violence. The clashes broke out after some protesters allegedly threw stones near Jantar Mantar.
Officials claimed that several “anti-social elements” had entered the protest site and contributed to the disorder. Police have started examining available evidence to identify those involved in the violence.
Protesters keep arriving
Fresh groups of demonstrators from different parts of India reached the protest site on Thursday, two days after the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march.
Many participants travelled overnight by buses and trains. They arrived with backpacks and rolled-up banners before joining the sit-in at Jantar Mantar.
Volunteers guided the new arrivals towards designated seating areas and distributed food packets and drinking water. The continued arrival of protesters showed that the agitation still had support despite the recent police action and the possibility of stronger measures against those accused of violence.
