The Delhi police on Sunday clarified that the pre-dawn action at Ramlila Maidan was carried out due to “specific intelligence threat on Baba Ramdev” and the fast overswelling of crowd which was breaching the capacity limit.
The police, however, denied that the supporters of Baba Ramdev were lathicharged even though Dharmendra Kumar, special commissioner (law and order), admitted that about 39 people had sustained injury in the skirmishes “resulting from throwing of bricks”. He also admitted that teargas shells were lobbed to disperse the crowd. Mr Kumar stated that Baba Ramdev would not be allowed to enter Delhi till the situation was conducive. “We received specific intelligence input on Saturday morning that Baba Ramdev could be targeted at the Ramlila Maidan, as it was a suitable place to do so. A large number of people were coming to the site. Our input was that it was aimed at creating trouble among communities. From states, we were getting information that there was mobilisation of people,” said the special commissioner of police, while adding that the intelligence input was shared with the yoga guru.
He also claimed that the police had requested Baba Ramdev to call off his agitation. “Had he cooperated and come out gracefully, the skirmishes and stampede which resulted in injuries to 39 protesters and 29 policemen could have been avoided,” added Mr Kumar in a press conference.
He, however, alleged that the violence unleashed by Baba Ramdev’s followers was premeditated as bricks and baseball bats were stocked behind the stage. Mr Kumar further said that 1,000-1,200 police personnel were deployed to handle the pre-dawn operation. Meanwhile, the police has imposed prohibitory orders for a week in New Delhi district where such agitations are apprehended.