DCW starts probe into ‘manhandling’ of women protesters at Ramjas

New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Saturday instituted an inquiry into the alleged manhandling of women protesters by the Delhi Police personnel during Wednesday's demonstration at the Ramjas College.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal asked the Delhi Police's Joint Commissioner, Central Range, to inform the Commission by March 4, how many male and female police personnel were deployed that day and the details of the officials seen manhandling women protesters.

Maliwal has also asked what action was taken against those officers seen on camera "beating and punching" the women protesters at Ramjas College.

The DCW has sought details (name and designations) of each and every officer responsible for every action taken by police to control the protest, including lathi charge.

"The Commission is of the view that these attacks on women protesters by policemen may also amount to molestation and need to be severely punished," DCW's notice to Delhi Police read.

The Commission had also asked about the steps to be taken by the police force to ensure that such incidents never occur in the future.

"A similar incident occurred in Delhi last year when peaceful women protesters during the protest over missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed were manhandled by Delhi Police. It is a matter of great shame that to date an FIR has not been registered against the police officer...

"The erstwhile Delhi Police Commissioner, despite requests of the Commission, chose to turn a blind eye to the incident," it said.

On Wednesday, members of the right-wing ABVP student organisation and Left-oriented AISA clashed over invitation to controversial JNU student Umar Khalid to speak at a seminar at Ramjas College in the Delhi University's North Campus. Several women protesters were allegedly manhandled by the Delhi Police officers.

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