The Delhi Police has instructed all its personnel stationed at the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar to wear their official uniform while on duty. This directive comes following claims that police officers in plain clothes forcibly removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site on July 18. The police have communicated these fresh orders to all units involved in maintaining law and order at the demonstration site.
A controversy arose when protesters alleged that plainclothes police officers engaged in a lathi-charge against students and demonstrators during a march to Parliament. The Cockroach Janta Party, along with other protesters, accused these officers of using force during the demonstration demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak. The Delhi Police faced criticism for their handling of a previous protest march to Parliament on June 20, where protesters were reportedly subjected to lathi-charges and tear gas.
In response to the allegations, the Cockroach Janta Party posted a video on social media showing plainclothes officers armed with lathis heading towards protesters without proper identification or uniforms. The police, however, defended their actions, stating that protesters exhibited aggressive and violent behavior, leading to injuries among police personnel and damage to police vehicles. Several officers, including senior officials, were reportedly injured during the clashes with protesters.
