On 26 May 2012, was the day when
exams were over in PEC Chandigarh, and a farewell party was just finished at 10
o’clock in the night. Some minor dispute between two groups of students
happened near about 9:30 pm. It is must to be mentioned that college
authorities didn’t intervene in the matter to solve the issue rather they
called police. At 11 pm Police (4 Policemen namely Ramesh Kumar – Constable, belt
number 1122; Gurditt Singh (ASI); Kuldip (Constable); Rattan Kumar (Constable)all
are posted in sector 11 police station, Chandigarh) came in Kurukshetra Hostel,
PEC Chandigarh when the dispute was over. Some students were standing in HOSTEL PARK and Police used
abusing language with the students and asked students to go to their rooms.
When students told them that it was hot today, that’s why we were in the park.
After this, Police used abusing language, ASI Gurditt Singh ordered Constable
Ramesh Kumar to detain Students for Society President Amandeep Singh(Final year
Student of PEC). Immediately
constable Ramesh Kumar grabbed Aman’s collar to drag, when he asked as to how
can they arrest without any reason. Constable Ramesh Kumar slapped Amandeep
Singh number of times and dragged him. Students told ASI Gurditt Singh that they will not
get scared of his threats and will complaint against him and especially
Constable Ramesh Kumar’s behavior to SSP of Chandigarh, hearing this constable
Ramesh Kumar threw punches on Amandeep’s face and he had nose bleeding heavily,
and Constable Ramesh was brave enough to give us his belt number and challenged
students to do whatever they can! On seeing this other college students
residing in hostel came out of the rooms and questioned policemen of how can
they start beating anyone. Consequently they started hitting other boys with
sticks as well
In all these events, another member of
SFS Pankaj Kumar(Final year PEC Student) intervened to stop constable Ramesh
Kumar while he was beating Amandeep Singh. So in fit of rage Constable Ramesh
Kumar threw Pankaj Kumar on the ground and kicked him and another constable Rattan
Kumar hit him with stick due to which he retained injuries. There were many
students who came on the spot also made a small video of this brutal event. On
seeing that video had been recorded policemen stopped their assault on students
for a while and threatened students with dire consequences of involving them in
false cases. Also two more students were assaulted by Police. Students helped
injured persons Amandeep Singh and Pankaj Kumar to bring them to PGI Emergency.
When a complaint was registered on police complaint no. 100 same persons
against whom victims had to file complaint came shamelessly to register their complaint.
They forced and pressurized victims to mould their statements and later on ASI
Gurditt Singh even threatened to involve students in false cases. On
Monday(28/05/2012), complaint was filed to SSP Chandigarh and Police Complaint
Authority Chandigarh.
SFS members who have always been
fighting for campus democracy, student’s issue, workers issue and against any
kind of oppression either by PEC administration or UT administration were
attacked systematically. This attack is
not just a physical assault; rather it is dictatorial attack on campus
democracy and basic rights of students. The act depicts the ridiculous
misbehave of powers by police and exposes the real character of Indian
‘Democracy’. The prestige of the so called Indian Democracy was raped under the
dark sky.
SFS condemns the
State Police, UT administration and PEC authorities for such shameful act of
assault on the students. SFS demands that the policemen involved should be
sacked because no definition can
explain these men in uniform to be PUBLIC SERVANTS....they are wolves in 'khakhi'.
The involved policemen should be terminated from service. Interference of
police in the democratic cultured Educational institutions must be banned. SFS
also appeals students and all progressive sections of society to stand up
against this barbaric act of Chandigarh Police. If concerning authorities will
not come into action, SFS will hold the banner against injustice.
Students for
Society
Chandigarh
Ad-Hoc Committee