‘Choice of words could’ve been better but…’: Senior Meerut cop defends colleague’s ‘go to Pakistan’ remark

“Stones were being pelted, anti-India and pro-neighbouring country slogans were being raised there. The situation was very tense. PFI pamphlets were being distributed. This happened despite all appeals, including those by religious leaders,” Kumar was quoted as saying by ANI.

He added, “Yes, if the situation was normal then the choice of words could have been better but that day, the situation was extremely volatile. Our officers showed a lot of restraint. There was no firing by the police.”

In the video clip, which was shot at Lisari Gate and went viral on social media, SP City Akhilesh N Singh is heard saying: “Kahan jaoge, is gali ko theek kar doonga (Where will you go, I will sort out this lane),” referring to four protesters police were chasing.

The officer then turns to three persons and says: “Yeh jo kaali aur peeli patti baande huye hain inse keh do Pakistan chale jao…khaoge yahan ka, gaoge kahin aur ka… Yeh gali mujhe yaad ho gayi hai. Aur jab mujhe yaad ho jaata hai toh mein naani tak pahunch jaata hun (The ones tying black and yellow bands, tell them to go to Pakistan. You eat here but sing praises of another place… This lane is now familiar to me. And once I remember, I can even reach your grandmother).”

In the video, the officer, surrounded by other personnel, can also be seen warning the three men standing at the junction of two lanes. “Agar kuch ho gaya toh tum log keemat chukaoge… Har ek-ek aadmi ko jail mein bandh karoonga (If something happens, you guys will pay the price. Every man from each house will be arrested),” the official can be heard saying.

When contacted by The Indian Express, Singh said, “The context is that anti-social elements were making pro-Pakistan statements”. “We had come to the area to see who all were making pro-Pakistan statements. When we arrived with force, they had run away. We found out that there were 3-4 such people who wanted to create an issue. We had discussions with locals,” the SP said.

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