The Hindu : 'Attack on Delhi rally pre-planned'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 12, 2002

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National

'Attack on Delhi rally pre-planned'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI MAY 11. The Forum Against Imperialist Globalisation today claimed that the manner in which about 20,000 of its activists— including women and children— were "arrested'' on the Ramlila Grounds on Friday and then beaten up mercilessly by the Delhi police was reminiscent of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Criticising the police for the systematic and unprovoked attack on its leaders and activists, the forum said, "What's most frightening is that many of the Adivasi and Dalits who came from far off places do not know the local language and geography,'' said its convenor, Sai Baba.

He said the attack appeared to have been pre-planned as the Delhi police, under directions from its political bosses, was initially reluctant to even grant permission for the protest rally which sought India's withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation, repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and punishment for those involved in Gujarat violence. Mr. Sai Baba said the police were under orders to teach the protesters a lesson even though the rally was absolutely peaceful. Prior to the attack and after the meeting the Additional DCP of Central District had declared that all the rallyists were under arrest and could not proceed in a demonstration. Just as the Forum leaders were planning to send a delegation to meet the President, K.R. Narayanan, the police entered the venue in riot gear and began beating the rallyists.

This led to a stampede as people ran helter-skelter. Barring one gate on the Turkman Gate side, all other gates were closed. And as the rallyists rushed out of the only gate, they were chased and beaten by the police, the forum leaders said. The Forum said it was making all efforts to locate eight of the rallyists who were missing since the attack. "We were supported by two mosques in the search effort as they used their address system for flashing messages about the missing, who include at least four children.

But so far, while some women from West Bengal have been traced, four children and some activists from Punjab are still missing.''

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