Activists demand FIR against cops who lathicharged girls in Tonk

According to local news reports, several girls had to jump from a bridge on the highway to avoid being hit by police batons.

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As the police started cracking down on the students, several boys from a nearby school and other villagers came to help the girls and threw stones at the police.

Tonk SP Deepak Kumar admitted that the police action was excessive. “The SHO should have tried to communicate with the students before resorting to such a step. He has been suspended,” Kumar told The Indian Express.

Representatives from civil society organisations led by the People’s Union of Civil Liberties met Rajasthan DGP Manoj Bhatt and demanded strict action against the responsible policemen. The activists also wrote to Chief Secretary C S Rajan, demanding free treatment for all injured girl students and appointment of teachers at their school.

“The protest should have heartened the district administration and, instead of sending the police, the District Collector or District Education Officer should have gone there and spoken to the girls. They should have been encouraged in their quest for good education and not beaten up,” PUCL national secretary Kavita Srivastava said.

“Many of them now are in hospital, injured and traumatised. Many were abused physically, touched and pushed. Is this the gift that the Government of Rajasthan and the Rajasthan police wishes to give its girls who are keen on education?” she said.