Delhi Cops Detain Lone CAA Protesters at UP Bhawan Citing Sec 144

Protesters who were detained taken in buses by police.

(Photo: Anthony S Rozerio/The Quint)

The Delhi Police on Friday, 27 December, detained protesters who tried to stage a demonstration outside the Uttar Pradesh Bhawan in the city's Chanakyapuri area, against the alleged police atrocities in the state following the agitation over the amended Citizenship Act.

The Jamia Coordination Committee, which comprises students from various political groups active on the campus, had called for a “gherao” of the UP Bhawan.

There was heavy security deployment outside the venue. As soon as some protesters arrived, they were detained and taken to the Mandir Marg police station.

Ahead of Friday’s protest, Section 144 was imposed in the area but Delhi Police picked up even those individuals who were standing alone. Police was seen detaining people who would arrive at the venue but were still seated inside their vehicle. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits an assembly of more than four people in an area.

When The Quint asked the designated police officers about why individuals who were simply standing were being detained, they said, “Don’t argue. Section 144 is imposed.”

The Delhi Police had also put up a banner asking people to refrain from staging demonstrations outside the Uttar Pardesh Bhawan as prohibitory orders are in place.

Protesters were also picked up and detained in police buses from outside Assam Bhawan at the corner of the street.

At least 19 people have died in Uttar Pradesh in violent clashes following protests against the CAA-NRC last week. Many reports have emerged showing police brutally beating up protesters and vandalising public property in different towns of Uttar Pradesh. Police, too, have released videos of protesters resorting to violence during the protests.