JNU protests: NCW orders probe into police lathi charge, manhandling of woman journalist at march

New Delhi: The National Commission for Women has ordered a probe into alleged manhandling of JNU students and a woman journalist during a protest march in New Delhi.

A large number of JNU students and teachers were on Friday stopped from marching to the Parliament Complex over various demands, including academic freedom, with police resorting to lathi charge and use of water cannons.

“We have ordered a probe and sent a team today to meet the police officials and we will further pursue the matter on Monday,” NCW Acting Chairperson Rekha Sharma said.

The protesting students had claimed that the “attack” by the police was “unprovoked”, with a woman journalist alleging that a man in uniform “groped” her and asked her to vacate the place.

#WATCH: Policewomen rough up a photojournalist during JNU students' protest, yesterday. Police say journalist was on wrong side of the barricade, journalist refutes the claim, says her camera was also snatched away. Police also added that the matter is being looked into. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/k56GHGsY69

— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2018

The “padyatra”, which started at the varsity’s campus, was organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) and the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA).

The associations are demanding academic freedom and accessible and equitable education. The teachers’ body had requested other associations to join the protest march.

Their other demands include withdrawal of the executive council’s decision to constitute a committee to take action against teachers and the immediate withdrawal of notifications replacing chairpersons who were opposed to implementing compulsory attendance.