Jantar Mantar Protest: What did the police do with the detained protesters?

Students and activists detained during the ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi have accused the police of assault, misconduct and attempts to intimidate.

Some protesters have also shown injury marks on their bodies. Despite all this, they are continuously participating in the protests. BBC Hindi has talked to some such students and workers. BBC has also tried to know the stand of Delhi Police in this regard. We have not received any reply from them yet.

Sharanya is a masters student at Ambedkar University, Delhi and a member of the Students Federation of India (SFI). Sharanya, who participated in the protest on October 11, still remembers her experiences during detention. According to Sharanya, the policemen pushed her and made her board the bus. During this his foot got stuck in the door of the bus. Sharanya alleged that the female policemen pulled up her clothes and the male commandos tried to push her into the bus. He told that there was neither light nor enough air in the bus. According to him, the policemen also pulled his hair.

Sharanya was detained at around 11 am on the day of the protest. He said he was kept at a detention center in Nangloi and was allowed to go home late at night. According to his allegation, there were no basic facilities like food, drinks and toilets.

Nadia, Delhi president of SFI and a development studies student, was detained on October 10. She was protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. When we met Nadia, there were injury marks on her body. Despite this, she participated in the demonstration of India Alliance on 12 October. Nadia alleged that during detention, female policemen pulled her hair and pinched her and caused her injuries. He told that the policemen were trying to snatch his phone and when he protested, he was beaten up. Nadia alleges that during this time an attempt was made to strangulate her. She remained under deep mental stress due to this experience. However, she said that she would continue performing.

Noel, who is doing his PhD in Delhi, had participated in the protest held on October 10 with a poster of Bhagat Singh. Noel told that he was made to sit in an orange colored DTC bus. According to him, he remained in the bus for about three hours and during this time the policemen slapped him repeatedly. He said that he was alone in the bus and he feared for his safety.

Activist Arjun was protesting in Connaught Place, Delhi on 11 October. He alleged that the policemen kicked him on the chest and private parts and punched him repeatedly. Arjun claims that there were some minors also in the bus. They suffered injuries and some even suffered fractures.

Journalists reporting on the protests on 10 and 11 October were also detained. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 37 journalists were detained in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Pune in these two days.

These demonstrations started on 2 October. Delhi Police had not given permission for the demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for October 10. Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) has also been imposed in New Delhi area.

On October 11, the Supreme Court said that peaceful and unarmed protesters cannot be detained illegally. Protests still continue in Delhi.