Sama protest: Vadodara police order inquiry into allegations of manhandling by cops

On Wednesday, Vadodara Joint Commissioner of Police Leena Patil said that a DCP-level officer has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. “It has come to our notice that there are complaints and allegations that the police personnel (who were trying to disperse the gathering) manhandled the residents, including women. We have ordered an inquiry by a DCP-level officer and anyone found guilty will face disciplinary action.”

Patil also said that the statements of the women, who complained of being “nearly disrobed” by women constables while being forced into police vans, will also be recorded.

The alleged incident had occurred in Sama when residents of some colonies in the area had decided to protest against the low water pressure, on Tuesday. The residents alleged that the issue had not been resolved “despite several complaints to the civic body”.

Meanwhile, as videos of residents being dragged into police vans went viral and sparked an outrage, the Vadodara city police released a video of a representative of the citizens, testifying that “the police did not use any force or manhandle residents”.