Ramdev crackdown: Now NWC seeks Centre's report

The National Commission for Women on Monday said it has sought a report from the Delhi Police on the midnight crackdown on Baba Ramdev's supporters at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

"We have sought a report from the Delhi police. We have sent a letter and are expecting a reply in 15 days," NCW Chairperson Yasmeen Abrar told reporters after meeting Bharatiya Janata Party Women's Wing President Smriti Irani, who went to the commission's office to submit a complaint on the issue.

Condemning the alleged "atrocities" carried out by police on women and children during the crackdown at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, Irani appealed to the NCW to form a committee to probe the incident. "We have taken into consideration the complaint made by her, but as per our procedure we will have to wait for the report by the Delhi police. After we get the report, if required, we will probe into the incident," Abrar said.

Irani called the police action on the crowds gathered at Ramlila Maidan to support Baba Ramdev in his agitation to bring back black money to the country as "barbaric and undemocratic". She alleged that women and children were manhandled by police. "The women were beaten, dragged by their hair, their clothes were torn for no fault of theirs.

I was shocked and dismayed at the turn of events and such an action was uncalled for," Irani said.

On the claims made by the Delhi Police that no manhandling took place, Irani said, "The Delhi police needs to watch news channels which have aired visuals of atrocities. The entire nation saw what the police did to helpless people. Police are in denial mode but brutalities did take place." "It was a well-planned move. The Centre and the Delhi government were hand in glove," she alleged.

She said the NCW should not "let itself be used" by the administration and start the probe as soon as possible "without any government pressure".