A day after the Bajrang Dal activists kicked and punched young girls in public places here while opposing Friendship Day celebrations, people in large numbers took to the streets to protest the “inhuman acts”.
Sentiments also ran high in the state Assembly over the issue with the Opposition Congress demanding resignation of home minister Nankiram Kanwar for the failure of the police to protect the victims from the Bajrang men. The Congress members also alleged that the state BJP government was trying to shield the accused saffron leaders as none of them was booked even 24 hours after the incident.
Making a statement in the House, Mr Kanwar said six BD activists were arrested for Sunday’s attack on young girls. He also announced that 10 policemen had been suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the incident.
The incident also shocked the denizens of the capital city, who poured into streets in large numbers to protest the police inaction. Several women bodies and human right activists also staged demonstrations at different places in the city holding pictures of attack on women by the BD workers to decry the incident.
Two police stations under which the teenage girls were attacked, were gheraoed by the local residents accusing the police of trying to slap “soft” charges against the accused.
Two FIRs have been filed in these police stations in connection with the incident.
A police officer later denied rumours of any attempt to bail out the accused and clarified that six people were arrested under Sections of 452 (assault), 147 (riots), 294 (obscene acts) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code.