The group was divided in two and sent to two different police stations. (Express Photo)Protesters demonstrating in front of the Israel embassy on Monday claimed that they were harassed and assaulted by the police while being detained at Mandir Marg police station for several hours. The protesters, who were from the Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP) group, were protesting against Israel’s attacks on Gaza and burned a photograph of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with a flag of Israel.Suraj Raut (25), a protester, said that the group was picked up by the police at around 4 PM on Monday. However, one of their fellow protesters began developing a breathing issue during the detainment. As the group was piled onto a police van, the protesters allegedly tried bringing the police’s attention to the woman’s health issues but to no avail. “She began gasping for air while sitting inside the van but the van was driven around different areas of Delhi for at least 40-45 minutes,” said Raut. Ultimately the woman and two other women protesters were allegedly dropped off at a private hospital in Pandav Nagar to get treated.The police have registered an FIR against the protesters under BNS sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), and 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). “We told the protesters to leave the area due to the embassy’s security concerns, however when they refused to comply with police instructions and directives, they had to be forcibly removed from the area. They also refused to cooperate with the police when asked to disclose their details. The protesters claimed that they’re students of JNU. We are currently verifying this and will take it up with the University’s administration, if it’s true,” said DCP New Delhi, Devesh Mahla. The DCP further emphasised that the police did not use brute force nor damage the property seized from the protesters.The group was divided in two and sent to two different police stations. “In Tughlak Road police station, the police seized cameras from some freelance photographers who had come to cover the protests… the group was also subjected to casteist and misogynistic slurs,” claimed Raut. By 7 PM all protesters had been assimilated in Mandir Marg police station. Inside the lock up, the group continued their protest, this time adding their demands to be given back their cameras and for their fellow protester’s hospital bills to be paid by the police.Meanwhile, two of the protesters were allegedly taken to a separate area and interrogated, claimed the protesters. “They asked us personal questions ranging from what our parents do to where we study and which place we come from,” said Priyambada Sharma (30), an activist with the IPSP. “They then asked us questions about how big our organisation is, how we recruit members and since when we have been associated with this group,” added Vishal Kumar (30), another activist.The protesters were let go at around 1 AM, they said, after a sizable crowd had gathered to protest against the detention in front of the Mandir Marg police station. On Tuesday Raut said that they planned on getting Medico-Legal Cases (MLCs) recorded for the injuries they sustained during their detainment.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Iran-Israel War