India, Aug. 19 -- The Delhi Police has strongly defended the use of force during the "Chalo Sansad" protest here on July 20, telling the Supreme Court that the agitation was hijacked by "anti-social elements" and "history-sheeters", resulting in a breakdown of law and order that left more than 240 police personnel injured. The Delhi Police affidavit, filed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma of the New Delhi district in response to a batch of petitions alleging excessive use of force against protesters, said the force was willing to have its actions examined by a court-appointed panel. "The use of force by police can be gone into by a Committee appointed by this Hon'ble Court and the Delhi Police will fully cooperate with such Committee and provide all details necessary. Also Read - EC revises Delhi's SIR schedule; final voter list to be published on Nov 4 Advertisement "At the cost of repetition, it is submitted that since a Committee may be appointed by this Hon'ble Court which will examine all the issues related to use of force by the police officials," it said. On August 3, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, while hearing petitions on the issue, had clarified that the expression "criminal antecedents" in its order on releasing student protesters referred only to those involved in grave and heinous offences. It had also said states could close or withdraw FIRs against the remaining students in accordance with law. The affidavit said more than 30,000 people, including alleged miscreants and anti-social elements, had gathered in and around Jantar Mantar on July 20 during the protests, which later turned violent. Police resorted to force only after repeated warnings and attempts to prevent protesters from advancing towards Parliament were not heeded. According to the affidavit, 2,873 protesters matched existing crime records, including 92 with over 10 cases and 47 "history-sheeters". Police said force was used only after protesters breached barricades and turned violent.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.