Monday’s lathicharge on the agitators of ‘Save Dharna Chowk’ campaign could have been the last resort left to the police, after they failed to make it seem like vociferous protests by “local people”.
Those injured in the lathicharge vouch that caning by the police had taken place after the “local people” fled from the location, intimidated by the swelling number of protesters arriving for ‘Occupy Dharna Chowk’.
“I was at the location by 8 a.m., and was confronted by huge tents occupying the whole stretch, and about 40-50 people sitting in the chairs with their faces turned to us. They began to object to us entering the site, and there were sporadic scuffles much before the caning began,” related M. Srinivas, the city secretary of CPI(M) who received head injuries during the lathi charge.
The fight had taken an ugly turn when some CPI activists entered the site from behind. Chairs were exchanged between both groups, yet the police remained mute spectators. “Groups of people led by TRS leaders began to arrive from various localities, to add to the existing strength. I could spot a leader from Uppal, who was badly beaten up. It appeared as though the TRS leaders planned to occupy the Dharna Chowk before we did,” Mr.Srinivas said.
“It was after sensing that the plan had flopped, that the police began to cane the protesters. They had not even erected barricades before 10 a.m., confident that the agitators would be stalled by the people brought in by TRS activists,” said M. Durgaiah, a local resident.
Mr. Srinivas questioned the need for the Commissioner of Police to issue oral permission at 6 a.m. on Monday, instead of written, even after repeated pleas by the Save Dharna Chowk Committee, and alleged that the police acted at the behest of the ruling party members. “Why did they stop us from entering the venue even while allowing who they claim are local people, to pitch tents?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, the Circle Inspector Sridevi who held placards posing as the protester against Dharna Chowk, was reportedly transferred from Lake Police, and attached to the Commissioner’s office.
The city witnessed sporadic after effects of the lathi charge, with the CPI(M) party burning an effigy symbolising the government, and the CPI city unit giving a representation to the Ambedkar Statue for restoration of human rights.
