NEW DELHI
Protest over the alleged rape of a 11-year-old girl, who was studying in a government school in class IV in Vasant Kunj turned violent on Saturday with demonstrators damaging cars and pelting stones at police personnel, forcing them to use “mild force” to disperse the crowd, during which 10 policemen were injured.
According to a senior police officer, they have detained over 20 protesters, while the injured personnel included two assistant commissioners of police (ACP).
A large number of people belonging to a jhuggi cluster of Rangpuri Pahari area had on Friday night gathered to protest the minor’s rape , DCP (southwest) Devender Arya said.
Police were alerted about a traffic jam near Ryan International School at Vasant Kunj following which they reached the spot, the officer said.
The protesters had blocked both the carriageways of Chhatarpur Mahipalpur road near the Hoti camp Jhuggi. Despite being informed that the accused in the rape case has been arrested, the protesters pelted stones on the police, he said.
The officer said that even after repeated warning when the crowd did not disperse, police had to use mild force to maintain law and order.
In the process, 10 policemen, including two ACPs, two inspectors, an ASI, a head constable and four constables sustained injuries, the DCP said.
During the protest, 11 private cars and a police vehicle were damaged, police said, a case has been registered and investigation is underway.
According to local people of Rangpuri, the area near the community toilet, where the rape took place, is absolutely dark with no street lights.