Dainik Bhaskar reporter Uday Bhatnagar spoke to Delhi Special Commissioner of Police Anil Chaudhary at Jantar Mantar on Thursday night. Chaudhary said all police personnel have been instructed to wear name plates over their uniforms.
However, when asked why some personnel were allegedly seen baton-charging protesters without uniforms or name plates on July 20, Chaudhary declined to comment.
He also said volunteers had appealed to protesters to maintain peace and prevent the agitation from turning violent.
Here’s what the Special CP said about security arrangements, allegations of police excesses against women, and the protest at Jantar Mantar:
Amidst police batons, a girl stumbles and goes near a tree. A policeman touches the girl’s sleeveless arm, hits her with a stick from behind without reason, and then smiles looking at his colleague. This smile is proof of the intention behind touching the girl
Reporter: What arrangements have been made to ensure the situation witnessed on July 20 is not repeated?
Anil Chaudhary: There are many different groups here, and many people within these groups do not know each other, which has created some coordination issues. Today, volunteers requested everyone, folding their hands, touching their feet, and appealing to them, not to let the movement turn violent. Their appeal had a significant impact. You have been here throughout the day, and so have we. There has not been a single incident of violence.
Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner of Police himself is accused of slapping a female protester on the cheek
Reporter: Has the police tried to coordinate with the volunteers to prevent another stand-off like the one that occurred yesterday?
Anil Chaudhary: Yes, absolutely. We have been in constant touch with them. We are listening to them and also explaining that violence harms everyone. I have repeatedly told them that if you love your country, you will never resort to violence.
Many security personnel who came to manage security at the Jantar Mantar protest did not have nameplates on their uniforms
Reporter: The protesters’ biggest complaint is that several police personnel and officers are not wearing name tags on their uniforms. Even today, many officers were seen without name plates. How will this issue be addressed?
Anil Chaudhary: Sometimes one or two name plates break or fall off on the way. But everyone has been briefed and given strict instructions that every officer must wear a name plate and be in proper uniform.
This person, without uniform and without wearing slippers, was also seen continuously raining blows with a stick. He wore the helmet, typically worn by police or security forces, to hide or protect his face
Reporter: On July 20, several police personnel were allegedly not even in uniform. Why?
Anil Chaudhary: I cannot comment on that.
Reporter: Videos from July 20 showed several police personnel allegedly beating women protesters with batons. What action has been taken against them?
Anil Chaudhary: Police Headquarters is taking the matter very seriously. Those who made mistakes will be identified, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against them.
Reporter: Will you ensure that no one without a proper uniform carries out baton charges in the future?
Anil Chaudhary: Absolutely. You can be completely assured of that.
