NEW DELHI: Amid continuing protests in the New Delhi district, a senior Delhi Police officer has highlighted the alleged misbehaviour, assault and humiliation faced by women police personnel deployed at protest sites, saying those in uniform deserve the same dignity and respect as any other woman.In a video message posted on the Delhi Police’s official Instagram handle, the officer said a large number of women personnel had been deployed to handle women protesters and were facing considerable difficulties while maintaining law and order.“There are clear instructions that lady police will only handle lady protesters,” she said.
Delhi Police officer flags alleged assault on women cops
The officer said several videos circulating online showed male police personnel avoiding physical contact with women protesters, but alleged that the difficulties faced by women personnel while performing their duties were not receiving similar attention.“There are several videos online that male police officers are not even touching the women protesters. People are not showing what women police officers are facing in the protest,” she said.She claimed that some videos showed women police personnel being subjected to misbehaviour and assault during the protests.According to the officer, male protesters have on several occasions allegedly dragged women police personnel into the crowd, misbehaved with them, torn their clothes and badges and assaulted them when they attempted to maintain law and order.
Women cops allege misbehaviour
The officer also alleged that women protesters were being subjected to inappropriate behaviour by male protesters, stressing that the issue was not limited to the treatment of police personnel.“Women police personnel deployed on duty deserve the same dignity and respect as every other woman. They are performing their duty and should not be subjected to misbehaviour or assault,” she further added.The officer said women personnel were facing considerable difficulties at the protest sites but continued to remain on the frontline to maintain law and order.Her remarks come amid ongoing protests in the New Delhi district, including those by the Cockroach Janta Party, student organisations and Congress-led opposition parties near Parliament.Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to manage the gatherings and prevent any escalation.The officer’s message sought to draw attention to women personnel who, despite being in uniform and performing a public duty, she said, should not be treated differently when it comes to their safety and dignity.“They are women and any woman, be in their uniform or without, deserves respect,” the officer said.The officer appealed for restraint and respect towards women police personnel, saying they were carrying out their duty in difficult circumstances and should not be subjected to assault or humiliation.(With PTI inputs)