SFI alleges students beaten in police vans, women sexually harassed during anti-CEC protests

New Delhi: Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) on Monday alleged that they were beaten inside police detention vans during the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and that women protesters were sexually harassed by security personnel.

A protester suffered hearing impairment after being slapped and was receiving treatment at a hospital, they alleged.

SFI president Adarsh M Saji and leaders Aishe Ghosh, Nadia and Sharanya, among others, showed their bruises at a press conference and accused the 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, alleging that students had suffered fractures in their hands and legs and were beaten inside detention vans.

Nadia, the Delhi SFI president, said she was surrounded and assaulted by women police personnel inside a detention vehicle. She alleged that she was hit on her hand while another officer pulled her hair, and that an officer tried to twist her finger.

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. She 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," Karat 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.

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 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.

(With inputs from PTI)