RAF Officer Shares Experience After Injury During Protest at Jantar Mantar
Injured RAF Officer Recalls Protest Incident
Sonia Sahrawat, an Assistant Commandant with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), sustained serious injuries while managing security during a protest organized by the CJP at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday. In a phone interview, she recounted how she broke her hand while attempting to rescue female protesters amidst the chaos. The clashes erupted when demonstrators tried to march towards Parliament, prompting security personnel to deploy tear gas and use limited force to disperse the crowd. Several police and paramilitary officers were injured during the unrest.
Injury During Duty
According to officials, Sahrawat's injury occurred while she was on duty to control the crowd. After receiving medical treatment, she left Delhi that same night and is currently unable to wear her uniform due to her injury. Sources indicate that some troublemakers infiltrated the protesters and hurled shoes, slippers, and broken beer bottles at the security forces. Approximately eight RAF personnel were injured during the violence.
Attempt to Save a Protester
Sahrawat explained that she was injured while trying to save a young woman who had fallen during the stampede. She noted that the RAF initially managed to contain the protest at Jantar Mantar without using tear gas. Leading her team, she stated, "We successfully kept the protest confined to that location without resorting to tear gas. I got injured while trying to help female protesters during the stampede."
Appeals for Peaceful Protest
Reflecting on the events, Sahrawat mentioned that her team exercised restraint and repeatedly urged protesters not to breach the security barricades. "On July 20, I was stationed at Jantar Mantar with my RAF team. There were students among the protesters, but some individuals aimed to create disturbances. I repeatedly requested them and warned that we would not resort to baton charges unless provoked. We established a line of security and told them they could continue their protest peacefully, but not cross that line," she added, assuring them of full cooperation as long as peace was maintained.
Crowd Attempts to Breach Security
The RAF officer alleged that parts of the crowd attempted to breach security measures and target police personnel. She stated that some protesters tried to break through barricades and push our officers. They also attempted to snatch helmets from our personnel and encircle them. We were pelted with stones and shoes. Clearly, someone incited them to attack the security forces, and such actions are intolerable.
Maintaining Law and Order is Our Duty
In response to allegations of misconduct towards female protesters, Sahrawat firmly denied these claims. She asserted, "Maintaining law and order is our duty. If someone attempts to disrupt it, action must be taken. Some individuals were injured during the stampede. The accusations of tearing women's clothing are completely false. As a female officer myself, my personnel would never engage in such behavior."