An assistant commandant with the Rapid Action Force suffered a broken arm while trying to control a violent protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Monday, and later recounted the chaotic scene over a phone call.
Protesters push toward Parliament, police fire tear gas
The CJP staged a fierce demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Monday. As the crowd of protesters pushed toward Parliament, police fired tear gas shells and used mild force to hold them back. Several security personnel were hurt while trying to control the situation, and the standoff kept the area tense through the day.
Sonia Sahrawat's account of the injury
Assistant Commandant Sonia Sahrawat was on duty to manage the crowd and was leading the RAF team deployed at Jantar Mantar. While controlling the protesters, she was badly injured and her arm broke. She left Delhi the same night after being treated for her injury and has not been able to wear her uniform since. Speaking over the phone, she described what she went through while on duty that day.
Shoes, slippers and broken bottles thrown at the force
According to information available, some anti-social elements were present among the protesters. They threw shoes and slippers at the force and also smashed beer bottles during the clashes. Eight people were reported injured in the melee that followed.
She pulled a girl to safety during the stampede
Amid the chaos, a stampede broke out and a girl fell to the ground. Sahrawat rushed to save her and pulled her out of danger, even as she herself was injured during the same effort.
Sahrawat said that while leading the RAF force at Jantar Mantar, they had managed to keep the protest confined to the Jantar Mantar area without using any tear gas shells.
"I got injured while trying to save women protesters during the stampede."
