Around 50 people who came from Manipur were detained for a few hours by the Delhi Police on Wednesday for protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) which was recently passed in the Lok Sabha. The Bill is expected to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, beginning January 31.

According to protestors, on Wednesday they were on Dharna at Jantar Mantar when they decided to go to prohibited area Vijay Chowk and burn effigies. “About 80 of us managed to go and burnt two effigies. Within seconds, police came and thrashed us before forcing us into their vehicles and taking us to Mandir Marg. They claimed that the women protesters were manhandled by the police. “Six boys had sustained injuries after police lathi charged us. There were around 200 people who had come to protest. We are demand our right. But what today happened shows that we are not even free to raise our voice,” said Veewon, President, Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD). 

 “I am saddened by what happened today. They have treated as we are under them. I want to demand for independence of Manipur considering what happened today. There was no female police,” said 60-year-old woman after being manhandled by Delhi police.

According to a senior police official, 50 people were detained.

 “They wanted to burn effigies. However, we did not find any effigies at the spot. No women were detained. No one sustained any injuries. They were taken to Mandir Marg police station,” he said.

Despite repeated calls Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi district did not respond.