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Four Former Chief Ministers Detained During Delhi Protest Crackdown
Several opposition leaders and protesters gathered in Delhi to speak against what they called vote theft.
Police detained four former chief ministers, along with many party workers and student activists.
The protesters wanted to criticize the election process and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police took different groups to police stations and a stadium.
Mamata Banerjee said her group was released at about 6.45pm.
Some protesters said police mistreated them and took their phones and bags.
Opposition politicians accused the government of trying to silence critics.
The article also reports that the police action was condemned by political leaders.
Delhi Police detained former chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Arvind Kejriwal and Manik Sarkar during anti-government protests.
The protests targeted alleged vote theft and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Leaders and activists from several opposition parties and their student and youth groups were also detained.
Protesters were taken to different police stations and, in one case, Maharaja Surajmal Stadium; Banerjee said she and her group were released around 6.45pm.
Opposition leaders condemned the police action, while protesters alleged mistreatment and restrictions on their ability to demonstrate.
- Who
- Delhi Police detained four former chief ministers and other opposition leaders, activists, and protesters.
- What
- Police carried out detentions during anti-government protests over alleged vote theft and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Where
- Delhi, at several locations including South Avenue, Jantar Mantar Road, Minto Road and Safdarjung flyover.
- When
- Saturday
- Why
- The protests targeted alleged vote theft and Gyanesh Kumar; protesters sought to demonstrate against these issues.
Opposition leaders and protesters
Police and authorities
Detentions during the protests
Opposition leaders and protesters
Opposition leaders described the detentions as arbitrary and as an attempt to silence voices and crush democracy.
Police and authorities
The article reports the detentions and police actions but does not provide a response from Delhi Police explaining them.
Treatment of protesters
Opposition leaders and protesters
A.A. Rahim alleged misbehaviour toward women protesters, denial of water, and the seizure of phones and bags.
Police and authorities
No police response to these allegations is included in the article.
Claims of electoral fraud
Opposition leaders and protesters
Opposition leaders alleged vote theft and said the election results were fraudulent.
Police and authorities
The article does not include a response from the government or election authorities to those allegations.
Key facts
- Former chief ministers detained
- Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Arvind Kejriwal and Manik Sarkar
- Protest focus
- Alleged vote theft and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Groups represented
- CPM, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and CPIML Liberation, among others
- Student and youth protesters
- More than 300 CPM student and youth wing protesters were rounded up, according to the article
- Mamata Banerjee's group
- Banerjee and members of her party were detained at South Avenue and taken to Dwarka North police station
- Reported release time
- Banerjee said her group was released around 6.45pm
- Protesters' allegations
- A.A. Rahim alleged police misbehaviour, denial of water and seizure of phones and bags
Quotes
Mamata Banerjee
Former chief minister of Bengal and Trinamool Congress leader
“Deeply concerned and strongly condemn the arbitrary detention of Shri Pinarayi Vijayan (Leader of Opposition, Keralam) by the Delhi Police.”
telegraphindia.com
“They cannot stop our voice. In protest, we have started a dharna and we will continue until and unless we are released.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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