'We were attacked, manhandled' by Delhi police: Kerala MPs allege

New Delhi, March 24: United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs from Kerala on Thursday alleged that they were "attacked and manhandled" by Delhi police personnel during their protest against the proposed semi-high-speed K-Rail-Silverline Project in the state.

The Delhi Police, however, denied the allegations, saying its personnel did not manhandle any parliamentarian. Raising the issue in Lok Sabha soon after the Question Hour, Congress member K Suresh said a total of 12 MPs, including women parliamentarians, had started their protest march from Vijay Chowk at 10.45 am on Thursday when Delhi police personnel came and "blocked them without any provocation".

"We told them we were MPs. They (police) said you (protesting MPs) are shouting slogans. We said it is our right to shout slogans. They assaulted us, manhandled us, pushed us without any provocation," Suresh told Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

The SilverLine project of the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala has been facing massive protests over the survey and marking of the corridor boundary, and is embroiled in a political controversy.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Thursday. Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa said,"A few people came to the north fountain barricade point from the media lawn shouting in Malayalam. They were stopped by the staff at the barricades. They claimed to be MPs and continued shouting. They were asked to show IDs which they denied.

Meanwhile, staff from security picket of the gate number one of Parliament were called to identify the MPs. "The staff came and identified the MPs and they were then allowed to go forward. There was no manhandling of any MP. The staff at the barricades only tried to stop as they were shouting and moving towards Parliament without revealing their identity,"

RSP member NK Premchandran called the incident "unfortunate" and said the police personnel were well aware that all those participating in the protest were MPs, but still did not allow them to enter the Parliament complex. "This is a question of our privilege. They even came to the precincts of Parliament and prevented us," he said and asked, "What is the authority of Delhi police to forcibly prevent the MPs from entering Parliament."

After hearing the members, the Speaker said that he will discuss the matter with them and then speak to the concerned officers. "You have given me (raised the grievance) in writing also," he added.

Raising the matter in Rajya Sabha, Congress member KC Venugopal said when the MPs were returning to Parliament after their peaceful demonstration, Delhi Police "literally" stopped and manhandled them, including a woman MP. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked the Congress member to provide the details of the incident, saying he will find out from the home ministry. PTI