Families of Injured Delhi Police Officers Demand Justice Amid Protests

Families Speak Out After Injuries During Protests

On July 20, during a 'March to Parliament' called by the Cockroach Public Party (CAZPA), relatives of four injured Delhi police officers appealed to Parliament to acknowledge the injuries sustained by the officers and the suffering of their families. They expressed concern that the focus has been predominantly on allegations of police brutality, overshadowing the experiences of the officers during the violence. At a press conference held at the Constitution Club of India, the wife of an Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP), the wife of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), and the children of two injured officers recounted their anxious moments waiting for updates from hospitals, witnessing bloodied uniforms, and observing discussions on social media that ignored the pain and injuries of the officers on duty.

Personal Accounts of Violence and Injury

Kunjal, a student at Delhi University, shared that her father, a sub-inspector, was injured during the clashes. She revealed that before joining the police force, her father served for 15 years as a Marine Commando in the Indian Navy. Kunjal stated, "My father was present at the main protest site, standing at the front near the barricades where the crowd was dense. He often mentioned that the protest no longer felt like a student demonstration, as many anti-social elements had infiltrated it." She alleged that on July 25, at Jantar Mantar, a mob nearly lynched her father, leaving him unconscious for about four hours at RML Hospital.

The Emotional Toll on Families

Kunjal recounted the distress of seeing her father return home in a blood-soaked uniform, stating, "It was incredibly painful for us to see him in that condition." She further expressed her anguish when she discovered on social media that her father had already been labeled a criminal. The following day, she learned that those who attacked him were approaching the Supreme Court to file complaints against the police officers. "I felt compelled to seek justice for my father. As citizens, we have equal rights, and we hope for justice," she added, noting that families of police officers have reached out to lawyers to voice their concerns in the Supreme Court.

A Call for Understanding and Support

Recalling the night her husband returned injured, ACP's wife Upneet Kaur described it as traumatic for her and their two-year-old daughter. She claimed that the police had repeatedly urged the crowd to maintain peace, yet they faced bottles, stones, slippers, and other projectiles from the protesters. "Behind every uniform is not just a police officer, but also their spouse, children, parents, and entire family. We want people to understand this," she emphasized. Following the violence, families of the injured officers have remained connected, sharing their hardships. A slideshow presented during the conference displayed images and statistics of the injured officers, highlighting the severity of the violence.

Statistics of Violence Against Police

The presentation claimed that over 250 police officers were injured, with more than 110 barricades, 300 body protectors, 350 helmets, 20 loudspeakers, 10 handheld metal detectors, and one X-ray baggage scanner damaged. Additionally, more than 25 government vehicles and private properties were vandalized. An ASI's wife, Seema, recounted that around 11 AM on July 20, her husband informed her via phone that the crowd was overwhelming and that protesters were preparing to march towards Parliament. Hours later, she received another call stating that her husband was being treated at LNJP Hospital. Seema recalled, "When I spoke to him, he mentioned that some anti-social elements in the crowd were throwing stones, pots, slippers, and shoes at the police officers. Then his phone battery died, and I was terrified."

The Need for Broader Discussion

Seema noted that her husband returned home around 11 PM with a broken safety helmet. "If another stone had hit him after the helmet broke, he might not have survived. Yet, the discussion has been solely about police brutality against students," she lamented. "This is just one aspect. We want the events that transpired with the police officers and their families to be discussed in Parliament as well." During the press conference, the families stated they do not blame the students but accused anti-social elements of inciting violence within the crowd. An ACP's son, Lakshya Singh, expressed his shock upon seeing his father for the first time after he sustained a head injury during the violence.