New Delhi: Amid an unprecedented security cover, especially in central Delhi, protesters who managed to reach Connaught Place and areas around Jantar Mantar were allegedly beaten up by self-proclaimed activists, who had come out to oppose Saturday’s call for a protest against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Several videos, including those by The Indian Express and The Quint, showed protesters being manhandled, punched, slapped and kicked even as police stood at a distance. No detentions or arrests were made.In one such video, shared by The Indian Express, a man in a torn black T-shirt is seen being assaulted by a group of around 19 men in Connaught Place. Another video shared by Indian Youth Congress’ (IYC) X handle shows a man and a woman being beaten up. The woman is punched and thrown on the ground. One of the assailants then calls out to a policeman, who then stops the assault and leads the assailant away.“In the video, a girl is being thrown to the ground and beaten, while police stand by watching the spectacle. When the entire Delhi Police is on duty, how are these people openly committing violence on the streets? Have goons been deployed on special duty?” IYC posted.Commenting on the video, Delhi Police said, “Action will be taken if a complaint is received. We are trying to reach out to the person in the video.”More than 35,000 security personnel, including those from the Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and UP and Haryana Police, were pressed into action in Delhi ahead of the protests. Thousands of protesters were detained, some for over 10 hours, and it was ensured that no gathering was possible at Jantar Mantar.
