NEW DELHI, Mar 8: A Delhi police officer has been suspended and faces disciplinary action after he was seen kicking and assaulting a small group of men offering Namaz on Friday by the side of a busy road.
In a shocking 34-second video that went viral, the officer – in-charge of a police post in Delhi’s Inderlok area – is seen trying to disperse a few men praying near a mosque in the neighbourhood. In what seems like a sudden burst of rage, he kicks two men from behind; he even seems to strike the second on his neck. He was also seen violently shoving the men who were praying. He can be seen shouting at the men, telling them to get up and leave the area.
As the purported video of the incident went viral, SI Manoj Kumar Tomar, attached to Inderlok police post, was suspended with immediate effect. Officials said people were offering Namaz at a busy intersection in the Inderlok area on Friday morning and added that it was being verified if permission was allowed to offer prayers at the spot.
“In the incident which happened today, the police post in-charge – who was seen in the video – has been suspended with immediate effect. Necessary disciplinary action is also being taken,” MK Meena, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Delhi North), said. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated, police sources said. In the videos the suspended policeman also gets into a fight with bystanders, and is assaulted himself.
Angry protesters later blocked the road to demand action against the cop. Reports indicate the men were praying outside because the mosque was filled to capacity. Security has been stepped up in the area to maintain law and order.
(Manas Dasgupta)
