The Uttar Pradesh Police suspended an SHO and three other policemen after a short video and images of a policeman with a plastic stool on his head as riot protection helmet went viral.
The incident happened during an attempt by the police to disperse an angry crowd protesting over the death of two motorcycle riders in an accident in Unnao district of the state.
In a short video that went viral, a policeman is seen with a plastic stool on his head which he holds with one had, to possibly protect himself from stones even as he brandished a lathi. Another policeman is seen having a wicker basket in his hand as protective gear.
#WATCH | Several policemen injured as locals protesting over deaths of 2 bike riders in an accident pelted stones at them in Unnao y'day. 43 people booked & arrested. An inspector, a chowki in-charge & 2 constables suspended for not wearing anti-riot gear properly: Police pic.twitter.com/IeVx0KNBt4
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 17, 2021
In a tweet, Lucknow Range IG Lakshmi Singh said the cops have been suspended for laxity, incompetence and for being unprofessional.
The UP Police, in a tweet, clarified that sufficient riot gears have been given to all districts to deal with any law and order situation. “In a L&O situation in Unnao, despite Int. inputs, the force was ill equipped for which the DGP has sought explanation of the SP & at the local level SHO has been suspended,” it further said.
उन्नाव में दिनांक 16/6/21 को घटित उपद्रव की घटना में शिथिलता,अक्षमता एवं गैर व्यवसायिक दक्षता के प्रदर्शन हेतु प्र०नि० कोतवालीसदर,प्र०चौकी मगरवारा व 2अन्य आरक्षियों को निलंबित किया गया है तथा CO city से स्पष्टीकरण मांगा गया है।पूरे प्रकरण की जांच AdSPरायबरेली को दी गई है। https://t.co/hfJd5be89j
— IG Range Lucknow (@Igrangelucknow) June 17, 2021
Twelve police personnel were injured when the protesters pelted stones at them.
The road crash that led to the protest took place on Tuesday. Devikheda village residents Rajesh (32) and Vipin (25) died as the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a car in the City Kotwali police station area, they said.
A day later, after the bodies were handed over to their families for last rites following a post-mortem examination, people of the village blocked the Unnao-Kanpur road near Akrampur to press for action against those responsible and demand compensation for the kin of the deceased, Superintendent of Police Anand Kulkarni said.
The protesters pelted stones at the sub-divisional magistrate and a police team sent there to pacify them, resulting in injuries to over 12 policemen, the SP said.
Meanwhile, the local people said the police team was outnumbered and and ill-equipped to handle the mob.
—With PTI inputs
