Families Of Injured Delhi Cops Demand Justice; Recount Horror Of CJP Protest Violence

New Delhi: The family members of Delhi police officers injured during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar held a press conference on Friday to share their version of events. While demanding justice, the families alleged that the crowd turned violent during the protest and attacked the police officers. 

What did the family members say?

While speaking at the press conference, Kunjal, the daughter of an injured police officer said that her father is a Sub-Inspector (SI) in the Delhi Police and was posted at the main barricade during the protest. 

"My father was deployed at the front-line barricades. Every night when he returned home, he would tell us that this no longer looked like a students' protest and that anti-social elements had entered the gathering," Kunjal said.

She alleged that on July 25, a violent mob near the Jantar Mantar stage dragged her father and tried to kill him. Following the attack, he was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital where he remained unconscious for about four hours. 

The woman said that when her father returned home late at night, his uniform was soaked in blood. "When I saw him, his uniform was soaked in blood. Despite having four stitches, he told me, 'Son, it's alright. Injuries happen'," she said.

She further said that then when I opened social media, I came to know that people were calling my father a criminal. And the next day I came to know that the people who had attacked him were going to the Supreme Court against them. I felt that then I should also go to get justice for my father and other policemen. I got the support of other police families also.

"People on social media are portraying my father as the criminal while those accused of violence are approaching the courts. We approached the Supreme Court through our advocate and were assured that we, too, have rights that deserve protection," she added.

What did other members say?

Lakshya Singh Bisht, son of the injured Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), said his father had received four gallantry awards during his service. He added that his grandfather also served in the Border Security Force (BSF) and participated in the 1971 war.

Lakshya said he learned of his father's injuries from a colleague. When he saw the photo, he saw four stitches on his father's head and a shaved head. He said his father told him that during the protest, some violent and antisocial elements began pelting stones without provocation. While he was escorting senior officials to safety, a stone struck his head, causing serious injuries.

Seema, the wife of another injured ASI, also recounted her husband's ordeal at the press conference. She explained that her husband had been serving in the Delhi Police for the past 33 years. On July 20, he went to Jantar Mantar for duty as usual. Around 11 am, he called to report a large crowd and that protesters were heading toward Parliament.

The woman said that she learned that evening that her husband had been admitted to Lok Nayak Jaiprakash (LNJP) Hospital for treatment. According to Seema, her husband told her that during the protest, some miscreants threw flower pots, stones, slippers, and shoes at police officers.

What are the family members demanding?

The family members demanded an impartial investigation into the incident and said that strict action should be taken against those who attacked the policemen on duty.

"I want to tell our elected representatives that the issues faced by police personnel and their families should also be discussed in Parliament. Action should be taken against those responsible for these attacks," Seema said. 

What did the government say?

The Delhi government has clarified through an order that it will not take any legal action against CJP protesters. The order informed the Delhi government that the Delhi Police have registered 13 FIRs in connection with the CJP protests. The order states that those arrested or detained will be released soon. However, the Delhi government has clarified that legal action will be taken against those with criminal backgrounds.