Families of Injured Delhi Police Officers Demand Justice After Violent Protest

On Friday, families of Delhi police officers injured during a protest led by the Cockroach People's Party (CJP) held a press conference to demand justice. They shared emotional accounts of the violence their loved ones faced while on duty. Relatives claimed that during the demonstration, protesters attacked police personnel with stones, shoes, and slippers, resulting in multiple injuries among the officers. Speaking at the conference, the son of an injured Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) described his father's condition post-violence. He stated, 'My father's uniform was soaked in blood,' urging authorities to take strict action against those who assaulted police officers. He recounted his shock upon learning that his father had sustained a head injury during the protest.

He continued, 'When I saw him, his head was shaved for treatment, and he had received four stitches. I was extremely frightened.' He further explained that his father informed him that anti-social elements had infiltrated the crowd, and the protesters suddenly began throwing stones, leaving the police with little time to respond. Family members emphasized that the officers were fulfilling their duties when they were attacked and deserved justice for their injuries.

Another speaker, Kunjal, whose father serves as a sub-inspector in the Delhi police, expressed that her father had repeatedly voiced concerns about the evolving nature of the protests. Kunjal shared, 'My father was stationed at the front line of the barricades. Every night when he returned home, he would tell us that this no longer felt like a student protest, as anti-social elements had infiltrated the gathering.' She recounted that her father was injured the next day and hospitalized. 'When I saw him, his uniform was soaked in blood. Despite having four stitches, he told me, 'It's okay, injuries happen.' Kunjal also criticized the narratives circulating on social media, stating, 'People are portraying my father as a criminal, while those accused of violence are approaching the courts.' She mentioned that they contacted the Supreme Court through their lawyer and were assured that their rights needed protection.

Seema, whose husband works as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in the Delhi police, recounted that her husband was deployed at Jantar Mantar on the day of the protest. She recalled that he left home early on July 20 and informed her around 11 AM that the crowd was growing and protesters were heading towards Parliament. 'I just told him to take care of himself,' she said. Later that evening, around 7 PM, she received a call informing her that he had been admitted to LNJP Hospital. He told her that the crowd had turned violent and anti-social elements had joined the protesters. Police officers were attacked with stones, pots, shoes, and slippers. Seema added that her husband's issued safety helmet was completely shattered. 'If even one of those stones had hit him directly, he might not have survived. I was extremely scared until he finally returned home.' She also alleged that the protesters had broken the barricades set up to secure the route to Parliament.