The massive protest by Delhi Police personnel on Tuesday after attack on police officials by lawyers on two separate days is now being supported by the cops in Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Haryana.
The protests were triggered by two incidents. On Monday, an on-duty cop was thrashed by lawyers outside the Saket court and a video of the incident created a furore on social media (see here, here and here). Several people demanded action against the lawyers and others decried the “shameful” incident.
Two FIRs, PTI reported, have been registered against a lawyer, who was seen in the video hitting the uniformed policeman on a motorcycle outside the Saket District Court.
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On Saturday after a parking dispute between an on-duty policeman and a lawyer at the Tis Hazari court complex, at least 20 security personnel and several advocates were injured.
The IPS Association’s Tamil Nadu chapter, in a statement, condemned the incident at the Tis Hazari court and said it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Delhi Police personnel. It also urged the concerned authorities to take action.
The Bihar Police Association also extended support to the protesting Delhi personnel.
Haryana Police Association has also extended its support and some of the officers even reached Delhi on Monday to stand in solidarity with the Delhi Police personnel, according to News18.
The IPS Association’s Kerala chapter also strongly condemned the attack on Delhi police personnel by lawyers. In a resolution, the association said the “barbaric” behaviour of the advocates has no place in a democracy and it was a direct challenge to the rule of law, PTI reported.
It resolved to stand with the members of Delhi police and with the officers affected by the “abominable and unfortunate events”.
Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik has assured that their concerns will be addressed and urged them to resume duty. “We have to behave like a disciplined force. The government and the people expect us to uphold the law, it is our big responsibility,” he said.
The policemen were holding up placards with slogans like “We are human in police uniforms” and “We are not punching bags”.
“We are the ones who face the brunt. We are beaten up and want that there should be an association to look into our issues and take up the problems faced by us with the top brass,” a protester told PTI.
Another pointed out that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal went to meet injured lawyers but did not meet the policemen who were also injured in the Tis Hazari incident.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has now announced suitable compensation to the injured police officials also, ANI reported.
(With PTI inputs)