Delhi Police is identifying people who took part in the Jantar Mantar protest using its Facial Recognition System (FRS). It has identified 216 individuals with previous criminal records.
Among them, 26 are from West Delhi, 23 from North East Delhi, and 22 from South Delhi, while the remaining are from other districts. According to sources, the police examined viral social media posts and CCTV footage.
The faces were matched with police records through the facial recognition system. Based on this, Delhi Police claimed that several people with criminal backgrounds had participated in the protest.
Violence broke out during the Cockroach Party’s protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, with clashes between police and students. Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) will investigate allegations that pellet guns were used during the incident.
No action against any Delhi Police officer or personnel
Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Law & Order) Devesh Kumar Srivastava told Dainik Bhaskar that no action has been taken against any Delhi Police officer or personnel over the CJP protest.
He said reports circulating on social media claiming that police personnel or officers had been suspended or faced departmental action were false.
He added that the police acted in accordance with the law to maintain law and order. Most of the police personnel who were injured during the protest have now been discharged from hospital and have resumed duty.
RAF to probe allegations of pellet gun use
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has launched an inquiry into allegations of excessive use of force and the use of pellet guns during the ongoing student protests in Delhi, officials said on Friday.
The RAF will examine the actions taken by its personnel to control the protest and the circumstances under which its personnel were allegedly attacked.
Officials said several photos and videos of RAF personnel have surfaced on social media. Some videos show personnel carrying firearms, using batons and carrying out a baton charge, while others show protesters surrounding and attacking RAF personnel.
July 20: Cockroach Janata Party’s march to Parliament, police baton charge
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) organised a march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20. During the protest, which lasted from 8 am to 5 pm, protesters and police clashed several times.
The protest began at 8 am, and by 10 am, protesters broke through barricades and marched towards Parliament. They proceeded via Parliament Street, Janpath crossing, the National War Memorial, Kartavya Path and Vijay Chowk before reaching near Parliament.
Some protesters allegedly attempted to enter Parliament, following which security was tightened and the main gate was closed. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. More than 50 police personnel and an equal number of protesters were injured in the clashes.
