Protests in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar After Cops Thrash Sikh Driver
Protesters demand action against all the cops involved in the incident.
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Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
After a Sikh tempo driver in North Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar was beaten up brutally by the police, a large number of protesters, particularly from the Sikh community, gathered outside the Mukherjee Nagar police station on Monday, 17 June night, demanding the sacking of all policemen involved in the incident.
Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa was also allegedly manhandled by protesters, news agency ANI reported.
WHAT HAPPENED
On Sunday, 16 June, an altercation between the police and Sarabjeet Singh, a Sikh auto driver went viral on social media, triggering outrage over the police's behaviour.
Videos of the altercation were shared widely on social media. In one of the videos, the driver was seen chasing policemen with a sword in his hand, while in another video, the policemen were seen thrashing him with lathis and dragging him on the ground.
A police officer was also injured in an altercation.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
On 18 June, the Delhi Police submitted a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs over Mukherjee Nagar incident.
“The conduct subsequent to the assault should've been more professional, only because of that, three police personnel have been suspended,” the DCP said.
PROTESTS ERUPT OVERNIGHT
In a video, Shalimar Bagh Police Station ACP KG Tyagi can be seen being beaten up by protesters later in the night.
KEJRIWAL, SIRSA CONDEMN POLICE BEHAVIOUR
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA from Delhi’s Rajouri Garden Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed that the “old man did not harm any police officer” and that the policemen instead insulted him by attacking his turban.
“The man pulled out the sword in self defence, not to attack anyone,” Sirsa, member of the Shiromani Akali Dal, said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the incident, saying the “police brutality in Mukherjee Nagar was unjustified.”
He demanded an impartial probe into the whole incident and said that strict action should be taken against the guilty.
“We urge the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Home Minister and and the Delhi police commissioner to punish the guilty,” he told reporters after visiting the victim’s residence in Gandhi Nagar.
While the Congress and the BJP demanded a fair probe, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh termed the incident as “shameful.”
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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