Jantar Mantar Protests: Police Families Demand Action Against Anti-Social Elements

Families of Injured Police Personnel Speak Out

Following the recent violent demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, which resulted in serious injuries to several Delhi Police personnel on duty, the families of the victimized officers have come forward. They have raised serious questions about the distinction between peaceful protests and violence, demanding stringent legal action against anti-social elements.

The families stated that pelting stones and attacking police officers under the guise of protest is unacceptable under any circumstances. The daughter of Inspector Nand Kishore emphasized in a media interaction that while it is every citizen's right to voice demands in a democratic system, resorting to violent methods or attacking on-duty officials while exercising this right cannot be tolerated.

She expressed concern that when police officers leave for duty, their families live with the constant fear of whether their loved ones will return home safely. Meanwhile, the family of Sub-Inspector Ashok Meena, who was severely injured, has voiced deep concern over the safety arrangements for police personnel. They questioned why police officers, who are tasked with maintaining law and order and put their lives at risk, are being targeted.

They believe that if those who attack on-duty personnel continue to go unpunished, it will demoralize the police force and make maintaining law and order extremely difficult.

Distinguishing Violence from Peaceful Dissent

The victim families stressed that they are not against peaceful protests by students or any group. However, they demanded the identification and strictest action against the anti-social elements who used iron rods, stone-pelting, and other violent means under the cover of the protest.

The families pointed out that when over 280 police personnel were injured, many with severe fractures, the incident cannot be dismissed as merely a 'student protest'. They characterized such elements as rioters who are spreading anarchy in the name of protest.

Supreme Court Urged for Clear Guidelines

Families of the injured police personnel, including those of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sub-Inspectors, and Constables, have approached the Supreme Court regarding this matter. Their primary demands include ensuring that the concept of human rights is not limited only to protesters but also guarantees legal protection and dignity for on-duty police officers.

They specifically requested the Supreme Court to establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and clear guidelines for the safety of police personnel during violent protests and crowd control. Furthermore, the families have demanded that FIRs be immediately registered and strict legal action be ensured against the main conspirators involved in spreading violence, attacking police, and inciting riots, without any political pressure.

This plea from the families underscores the critical importance of ensuring accountability for those who break the law and disrupt public order, to prevent similar incidents in the future and maintain the morale of law enforcement agencies.