SFI members show bruises, recount 'assault' by police during anti-SIR protests; allege sexual harassment

NEW DELHI: SFI members on Monday, with their bruised arms and marks of injuries, recounted their experiences during the protests against the CEC in Delhi, alleging that they were beaten up inside detention buses, while women were sexually harassed by security personnel.

A protester is experiencing hearing impairment on being slapped and was receiving treatment at a hospital, they further alleged.

Students' Federation of India (SFI) president Adarsh M Saji, leaders Aishe Ghosh, Nadia and Sharanya, among others, showed their bruises at a press conference and accused police of using violence to suppress dissent.

Ghosh said the injuries she had sustained were minor compared with those suffered by other students.

"Nothing compared to what students are facing," she said, displaying her bruises. She alleged that students had suffered fractures in their hands and legs, and were beaten inside detention vans.

Nadia, Delhi SFI president, recounted being surrounded and assaulted by women police personnel inside a detention vehicle.

"Six policewomen (were) trying to stop my friend from recording; five were on me," she said, alleging that she was hit on her hand while another officer pulled her hair. A police officer was also trying to twist her finger, leaving her in extreme pain, she alleged.

An SFI member from Delhi alleged that women protesters were subjected to sexual humiliation while being detained.

"When I was being shoved in the bus, a police officer lifted my kurta," she said, alleging that male police personnel were present inside the bus where women protesters were confined in cramped compartments.

A protester from Kerala, identified by fellow protesters as Fidel, was allegedly slapped several times on his right ear and suffered serious hearing impairment. He was taken to RML Hospital, SFI protesters said.

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, who was also detained during the protests, described the police action as “unprecedented” in her decades of experience in Delhi.

"Having been on the streets of Delhi for decades, what's happening today is unprecedented," she said, alleging that police personnel were being allowed to act with impunity to intimidate protesters.

Karat alleged that women protesters were subjected to inappropriate touching and sexual harassment during detention.

"Today, sexual harassment by people in uniform has become an instrument to prevent dissent," she said.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby said the Left parties would continue to mobilise people against the restrictions, working with civil society groups, intellectuals and cultural personalities.

"You can put up barricades, but democratic aspirations of people cannot be contained by any brutal force," Baby said.

The protests were held against the SIR exercise and the restrictions imposed on demonstrations in Delhi, with protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Student groups and opposition leaders have alleged that police used excessive force as demonstrators attempted to assemble at different locations in the capital.