Sonam Wangchuk offers to end fast if protesters are assured protection; Delhi HC seeks Police response

Activist Sonam Wangchuk said here on Wednesday he was ready to call off the ongoing hunger strike if the Centre gave him assurance that no caste protester involved in protest of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi would be arrested.

Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on indefinite fast over alleged NEET paper leak issue for the last 24 days has committed to 25th day of his protest on July 22 at the Pollock Chowk. He came in the aftermath of a Police Action in the National Capital that occurred during the CJP’s march.

The Delhi High Court meanwhile has invited responses from the Centre and Delhi police in petitions claiming the excessive use of force on demonstrators. The case was rescheduled to be heard further on September 11.

The petitions call for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that can investigate the police action during the CJP’s march. Petitioners also said police had on duty “dogs on rampage” against the demonstrators, who were making a show of non-violence, and called on the court to pay attention to the allegations of physical assaulting of a woman by a senior police official, who was standing close to the protest area.

The Delhi Police, opposing the pleas, contended that the action of the protesters had turned “violent,” make it unruly and called for their intervention. Police informed the court that the agitation saw them sustaining injuries and protesters throwing stones.

While dispersing protesters, police was using excessive force, the CJP has alleged, while Delhi Police has defended itself, contending that “measures had to be taken to maintain law and order in the city after violence broke out.

The case will be heard again on the court date of 11 September, when the Centre will come up in front of the High Court to provide their rebuttal followed by Delhi Police.