JOIN USA group of women protesting on the national highway in Ferozabad, about 325 km from here, on Monday had to bear the brunt of police brutality.
The police, who were led by the local station house officer Sriprakash Yadav, were caught on camera kicking, slapping and abusing the women in their attempt to clear the blockade. In the footage, Yadav was seen kicking a woman and also slapping her. The police also resorted to baton charge to disperse the women.
The women alleged that the police let off the driver of a tractor-trolley which collided with an auto rickshaw on Monday killing two persons and injuring several others. A charge vehemently denied by the police.
They were demanding the driver’s arrest and compensation to the families of the deceased. Several women suffered injuries, reports said.
Senior officers have taken a serious view of the matter and a report has been sought from the district police, sources said. “Stern action will be taken against the guilty,” the officers said. District police chief Rakesh Singh said that a probe has been ordered.
As the outrage over the police action mounted, Yadav was put under suspension along with three other policemen – Sanjiv Kumar, Neeraj and Giriraj – posted at Rasulpur police station.
The Congress and the BJP had strongly condemned the incident and demanded stern action against the erring cops.