UP police brutality in Firozabad: 4 cops suspended, NCW to send notice

Zee Media Bureau

Lucknow: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has said it will send a notice to the Uttar Pradesh police seeking an explanation on the police brutality, who were caught on camera ruthlessly beating women protesters on Monday in Firozabad district here. “UP Police is shameless have crossed all limits. Action should be taken, will send a notice tomorrow,” NCW chief Mamta Sharma said. "The Uttar Pradesh Police do not listen to anyone and it has become so shameless. The government should take an appropriate action on them. The police commissioner had conducted a big programme on police sensitization, but despite this if the government and the police are so insensitive, is very unfortunate," she said. "I will be sending a notice tomorrow. This is a democratic set up, and protests are a part of it. There are many ways to control it but beating women is very unfortunate and sad," she added. At a time when the Akhilesh led UP government is already under fire for not taking necessary steps to rehabilitate the Muzaffarnagar riots victims who are staying in various relief camps, yesterday`s incident of baton charge probably could increase the problems of the state government. The incident has sparked a sharp criticism of the state government and the police. According to the reports, some cops here were caught on camera slapping and kicking a group of women who were protesting on the national highway here against the death of two persons in a mishap. Some policemen even brutality cane-charged the women protesters. The protesters had last night gathered at Subhash crossing under Uttar police station area and squatted on the National Highway after a rumour that the driver of the tractor involved in the road mishap had been let off, sources said. Police officials, including SHO Sri Prakash Yadav were then caught on camera slapping and baton-charging the protesting women, while trying to clear the road. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Rakesh Singh said after doing proper investigation into the matter, four cops have been suspended. The SP added police had to use force to disperse the mob gathered on the busy crossing as the protestors were indulging in stone-pelting during the late hours amidst heavy fog. Denouncing the police brutality, Congress leader from Firozabad Raj Babbar said: "The baton charge on women relatives who were protesting for the accident victims is a shameful act. The Uttar Pradesh Government should look into this matter seriously." Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sidharth Nath Singh said it was a shameful act, and the police behaved like hooligans.