The ongoing wrestlers’ protest in New Delhi saw a scuffle ensuing late Wednesday night as the wrestlers tried to bring beds to the protest site and were allegedly ‘manhandled’ by local police.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat alleged that a drunk policeman had assaulted her brother and that another police officer had shoved her and Sangeeta Phogat.
Sakshi Malik was in tears as Phogat was seen arguing with the officials in a video that surfaced from the location of the ongoing protest.
‘Since it rained today, the streets are wet. That’s why we were trying to get a bed to the protest site. They’re abusing us. This is how they respect daughters,’ wrestler Bajrang Punia told the media.
Delhi police officials, however, said the police official was not drunk and that no protester was beaten.
Officials said ‘There were a few men who tried bringing cots to the protest site. When policemen asked them about it, they got aggressive and the protesters joined them. They wrongfully restrained a policeman and accused him of being drunk. This is not true. Other officers are at the site and the situation is now under control. No protester was beaten up.’
AAP minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, meanwhile, tagged Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena in a tweet, asking him to take note of the purported video.
“Please note Lt Governor Delhi. A Delhi Police officer attacked a wrestler at Jantar Mantar. It is alleged that the policeman was drunk. A medical test should be conducted and MLC of the victim should also be registered,’ he tweeted, also tagging the Delhi Police Commissioner.
Phogat and Punia on Thursday offered to return their medals and awards to the government, saying these honours are of no use if they are being subjected to such humiliation.
AAP MLA Somnath Bharti alleged he has been detained by the Delhi police for demanding foldable cots for the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.
The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the urgent petition filed by wrestlers after the alleged scuffle. The court, however, concluded the hearing after knowing that an FIR has been filed and armed security was provided to protesting wrestlers.
The top court also rejected petitioner’s plea for a court-monitored probe.
Sufficient security measures have been implemented around Jantar Mantar in Delhi, following the alleged altercation
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