INDIA: In current development, the Wrestlers protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar have alleged that they were assaulted by drunk policemen at night when wanting to bring folding beds to the site.
As per the police statement, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Somnath Bharti reached the protest site with folding beds without taking permission from authorities. However, police questioned and interrupted them when a small verbal brawl broke out between the civilians and a protest following which the AAP leader and two others were detained.
The wrestlers lashed out, claiming that two of them had sustained significant injuries after being hit on the head. One person fell unconscious and needed to be taken to the hospital right away for treatment.
An ex-wrestler, Rajveer, said, “A drunk policeman, Dharmendra, abused Vinesh Phogat and got involved in a scuffle with us.” Whereas Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Geeta Phogat added that her younger brother Dushyant Phogat’s head “was cracked open”.
Meanwhile, Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat also asked the Indian government to take back all the medals they have won for India. Phogat said, “Along with the medals, we are willing to give our lives also. All we want is justice.”
The Delhi Police have denied claims that several of their personnel were drunk. Five police officers were hurt in the altercation, according to the police, who claimed that no force was used against the demonstrators.
In the midst of the crisis, heavy police presence and barricades have been placed throughout the protest site. No media coverage is permitted there. Now, Union Minister Anurag Thakur assured that they are willing to fulfil all the demands of the athletes protesting at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Thakur added that an FIR has been filed by Delhi Police against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and elections to choose a new candidate will shortly be held by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
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