Anti-CAA Protests: 'Outsiders' Responsible For Violence Near Delhi Gate, Say Police Officials
Delhi Police PRO Mandeep Singh Randhawa, while speaking to reporters, said the security personnel are not cracking upon protest groups which are demonstrating in peaceful manner. Action, under a restricted manner, is only taken against elements which resort to violence, he said.
New Delhi, December 20: The violence reported during a demonstration at Delhi Gate on Friday evening involved "outsiders", said Delhi Police officials while speaking to news agency PTI. The officials did not elaborate on their identities, but added that scores among the miscreants have been detained for clashing with police personnel. Sonia Gandhi Accuses Modi Govt of Using 'Brute Force' to Suppress Dissent Against Citizenship Amendment Act.
Delhi Police PRO Mandeep Singh Randhawa, while speaking to reporters, said the security personnel are not cracking upon protest groups which are demonstrating in peaceful manner. Action, under a restricted manner, is only taken against elements which resort to violence, he said.
For the incident at Delhi Gate, where protesters allegedly resorted to vandalism, the police said it was forced to fire water cannons. The Police PRO categorically ruled out the use of lathi charge against protesting students and civil society members.
"We used mild force and water cannon, didn't lathicharge protesters or lob tear-gas shells. Many of our personnel have been injured. Some people have been detained," Randhawa said.
The Police PRO also noted that a private car was set ablaze by protesters in Daryaganj to spread unrest. The matter, he said, would be investigated and stern action be taken against those who set the car on fire.
The protests against CAA -- the law to naturalise non-Muslim refugees -- was launched last week when the Parliament cleared the controversial legislation. The agitation, which first erupted in the Northeast states, spread to West Bengal and parts of North India. In the southern part of the nation, maximum protests have been reported in Karnataka, which houses a significant portion of Muslim population.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 20, 2019 08:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).