Delhi Police personnel staged a protest outside the Gate No. 1 of the Delhi Police Headquarters (PHQ) on Monday morning over the transfers of ACP Manasvi Vashistha and SHO Inspector Arun Kumar, demanding that the two officers be reinstated to their previous postings.
Around 100 police personnel, including women officers, were seen protesting with placards and posters in hand. They also raised slogans inside the Delhi Police Headquarters.
DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma reached the spot soon after the personnel assembled and was seen speaking to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashistha, one of the officers who was transferred, and asked him not to stage a protest. Sharma asked the ACP and the other personnel to maintain the discipline expected of a police force and reminded them that they should not behave like protesters, reported the Indian Express.
Why are they protesting?
The development comes after transfers were ordered on October 28, following a scuffle between advocates at Shahdara police station on October 23, during which an advocate allegedly sustained a head injury. The incident triggered an indefinite strike by district court lawyers, who demanded action against those accused of assault.
The situation escalated after lawyers accused ACP Manasvi Vashistha of misbehaving with them and threatening them by displaying his revolver. The police, however, alleged that a group of 15–20 lawyers created a ruckus inside the SHO's office, misbehaved with officers and obstructed government work.
The next day, a group of lawyers reached the Shahdara police station, alleging that the police had failed to take appropriate action against those involved in the assault. Advocates across district courts in the national capital went on strike on October 27, demanding the suspension of the two police officers over alleged high-handedness towards lawyers and calling for an impartial inquiry.
In response, ACP Manasvi Vashistha was transferred from Gandhi Nagar to the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC), while Inspector Arun Kumar was moved to the Security Branch.
The transfers have led to disagreement among a section of Delhi Police personnel, who sought an opportunity to meet the police commissioner and raise their concerns over the action taken against the two officers.
Police personnel raise slogans inside headquarters
Several police personnel staged sit-ins inside the police headquarters, raising slogans against the transfers. The protest marked an unusual show of dissent, with officers entering the headquarters and openly voicing their grievances. Slogans calling for police unity continued to echo through the premises.
According to Jagran.com, police personnel from various districts continued to arrive at the headquarters. Senior officials were reportedly struggling to handle the situation.
During the protest, several personnel expressed their anger against the lawyers. A large number of women police personnel also joined the demonstration as the day progressed.
This is reportedly the second occasion on which Delhi Police personnel have staged a direct protest outside the police headquarters over issues concerning their rights and dignity.
Heavy security arrangements were put in place around the headquarters as the protest continued. The protesting personnel demanded the intervention of senior officers and called for an end to what they described as unilateral action against police personnel.
The unexpected demonstration created a stir within the department, with officers openly expressing their dissatisfaction over the transfers and the handling of the dispute.