Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra has assured that "appropriate action" will be taken in response to the lathi-charge incident involving Bajrang Dal activists during an anti-drug mafia protest in Indore. The assurance came after BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya condemned the incident, calling for stern action against the policemen responsible.
The incident took place on June 15 at the crowded Palasia intersection, prompting an ongoing investigation into the matter. Mishra personally reached out to Rajesh Binjwe, a local Bajrang Dal functionary who was injured during the lathi-charge, to inquire about his health and express concern.
According to Binjwe, the police resorted to baton charging while the protesters were demonstrating against the drug mafia. He demanded that the police officers involved in the incident be suspended at the very least. In response, Mishra assured that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation, as PTI reported.
Following widespread criticism from leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), two officers, including a deputy commissioner of police, were removed from their field postings on Friday.
An FIR has been registered against unidentified individuals under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting and disobedience to a public servant's order, in connection with the Bajrang Dal protest. The activists had organized a sit-in protest against the alleged filing of false cases targeting Bajrang Dal members who had reported illegal drug trade activities.
Kailash Vijayvargiya, in a statement, strongly condemned the lathi-charge incident, describing it as barbaric. He emphasized the need for strict action against the police officers involved.
