Inside Delhi Police's 3-layer dawn op to remove Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi early on Saturday in a carefully planned operation carried out
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi early on Saturday in a carefully planned operation carried out by the Delhi Police, top police sources told India Today TV. According to sources, the strategy for the operation was finalised during a high-level meeting held soon after the newly-appointed Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar assumed office. Senior officers reportedly decided to carry out the action at dawn, when the number of protesters at the site would be at its lowest. Read Full Story Police also chose a time when Wangchuk's close associate, Abhijeet Dipke, had briefly stepped away from the protest venue, the sources said. Around 30 to 35 personnel, including members of the New Delhi district's Special Staff and local police, entered the barricaded protest area in plain clothes. According to the sources, officers first surrounded Wangchuk's bed with large white sheets before removing him from the stage and escorting him out of the protest site. THE 3-LAYERED OPERATION The operation was executed in three layers, the sources added.
In the first phase, plainclothes personnel secured the stage and removed Wangchuk. In the second phase, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel maintained a security cordon outside the barricades to prevent any confrontation with protesters. In the final phase, senior Delhi Police officers monitored the operation from a control point near ambulances and police vehicles stationed outside the venue. As soon as Wangchuk was placed inside an ambulance, the Delhi Traffic Police cleared the route, allowing the vehicle to reach Safdarjung Hospital without obstruction, according to the sources. Police sources further said that only senior officers were informed about the complete operational plan in advance. Officers below the inspector rank were instructed only to report to the spot and were not briefed about the full details of the operation beforehand. Shortly after the operation concluded, Abhijeet Dipke returned to the protest site and alleged that Wangchuk had been removed in his absence. He also announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike.
Delhi Police, however, maintained that the entire operation was conducted peacefully while exercising "maximum restraint". The police also appealed to the remaining protesters to vacate the Jantar Mantar protest site peacefully at the earliest. MEDICAL ASSESSMENT According to Delhi Police sources, a medical team from Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital conducted Wangchuk's health examination on Saturday morning before his transfer. During the examination, doctors reportedly advised that his health condition had deteriorated and recommended immediate hospitalisation. Police sources said two doctors and two paramedical staff members have now been assigned to monitor Wangchuk's treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. ACTION ON 'MEDICAL ADVICE' The Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar, where he had been on an indefinite fast since June 28, and shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital, saying the move was made to ensure "essential medical care" based on expert medical advice and in compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court. His removal came two days after the Centre informed the High Court that any medical intervention required for Wangchuk would be provided based on the recommendations of doctors monitoring his health.
The BriefWire