Delhi Police on Thursday, 23 July strongly condemned the assault of its personnel during ongoing NEET paper leak protests at Jantar Mantar, releasing a video of the nighttime violence and calling out what it described as a pre-planned attack on officers in uniform. The condemnation came after at least one inspector was hospitalised with visible injuries following the unrest.

The Attack on Inspector Nand Kishore Singh

Inspector Nand Kishore Singh, who was injured during the violence, recounted being surrounded and beaten by a crowd he estimated at 150 to 200 people while on duty at the protest site. 'I was on duty at Jantar Mantar... All of them had lathis and stones in their hands. When they saw me, they shouted ‘Maaro Police walo ko’. They started beating me,' he said.

Singh alleged that the attackers also robbed him, taking away his gold chain and wallet containing his identity documents. He sustained injuries to his head and other parts of his body, and was seen in footage released by Delhi Police with bandages and bloodstains.

Delhi Police's Official Response

The force shared a video on social media documenting scenes from the nighttime confrontations. In its post, Delhi Police stated: 'A uniform does not make a person feel less pain. Behind every badge is a beating heart, a family and a promise to serve. Seeing on-duty police personnel assaulted is deeply disturbing. Disagreement can have a voice. Violence should never have a place.'

The statement drew a clear line between the right to protest and the use of physical force against security personnel, signalling that the force intends to pursue those responsible.

Was the Attack Pre-Planned?

Inspector Singh alleged that the assault was not spontaneous. 'This was definitely planned because they had lathis and stones in their hands. They had it planned that whenever they saw an officer, they would start attacking him/her,' he said. He further claimed that those involved were not students: 'They were not students, because students do not behave in this way. They were others who had it planned to attack the police.'

These allegations, if substantiated, would mark a significant escalation in the nature of the protests and could invite more serious legal action against those identified.

Background: NEET Protests at Jantar Mantar

Protests have been ongoing at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the NEET paper leak controversy, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination. The protests have drawn students, activists, and, according to Inspector Singh, individuals with no direct stake in the examination.

This is not the first time that demonstrations at Jantar Mantar have turned confrontational, but the alleged organised targeting of uniformed officers represents a new and concerning dimension to the unrest. Authorities are expected to review footage and file formal cases against identified individuals in the coming days.