CJP, AISA question whereabouts of Dipke, Neha after detention

<p> New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI): The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and AISA on Friday questioned the whereabouts of Abhijeet Dipke and Neha Bora, alleging the two were being denied access to lawyers and associates after being detained by Delhi Police during protests in the capital.</p><p> The CJP alleged that its founder Dipke had been taken to an undisclosed location and it had lost contact with him, while the All India Students' Association (AISA) said its president Bora -- who was allegedly taken to a Anti-Narcotics Task Force, South-West District, facility initially -- was later shifted to an undisclosed location.</p><p> "The Delhi Police has taken Abhijeet Dipke to an undisclosed location. We have lost contact with him. He is not being allowed to talk to lawyers," the CJP said in a post on X.</p><p> "Why does this government treat youth like terrorists? We are equal citizens of India and we deserve all the protections and rights of the Constitution!" it said.</p><p> "Abhijeet was just walking out of his home with a Tiranga in his hand! How can walking with a tiranga be a crime?" the CJP asked, adding that detentions would not deter people from joining the protests.</p><p> The CJP also wrote to Delhi Police inquiring the whereabouts of Dipke.</p><p> In a letter addressed to Mandir Marg station house officer, CJP leader Rohan Deshpande said, "Since his detention, we have received no information regarding his present location or the police station or facility where he is being held. This lack of information is deeply concerning."</p><p> He urged the Delhi Police to immediately confirm Dipke's present whereabouts, confirm legal provisions invoked and the grounds communicated for his preventive detention.</p><p> He asked police to disclose under whose directions he had been detained and the details of the officer responsible for his custody, adding that Delhi Police must ensure he is permitted to contact his colleagues and obtain access to legal counsel.</p><p> On the other hand, AISA said Bora was initially detained at a Anti-Narcotics Task Force facility but was subsequently moved. Former AISA president and CPI(ML) Liberation leader N Sai Balaji questioned the police over her detention and the reported change in her location.</p><p> "Delhi Police please answer why Neha was detained alone by plain clothed men in a bus? Her last location shows she was taken to Anti-Narcotics Cell, Mangalapuri. Then why is the PS (police station) saying she is not there," Balaji said.</p><p> "Is Delhi Police trying to kidnap her and arrest her," he questioned.</p><p> Balaji later alleged that police were moving Bora again after concerns were raised about her whereabouts, asking why she could not be released.</p><p> AISA also alleged that two people in plain clothes accompanying Bora in a van were not detainees, and questioned whether she was safe.</p><p> In a post on X, AISA said Delhi Police has refused to meet a delegation of lawyers and civil society members seeking her release. It called on people to gather in large numbers at Parliament Street police station to demand the release of the detained protesters.</p><p> "It's 10 pm. The whereabouts of AISA's All India president Neha remains unknown.</p><p> "A delegation comprising AISA activist Anjali, advocate Manik Gupta, RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, Professor Jitendra Meena, among other activists and civil society members are reaching Parliament Street police station to meet higher police officials," AISA said.</p><p> CPI(ML) Liberation, in a statement issued Friday night, said Bora was initially taken to an Anti-Narcotics Task Force, South West District, facility and was later shifted to another location. It said a legal team had been deployed to follow up on her detention.</p><p> The party said Dipke had also been detained outside his place of stay ahead of the Tiranga march and his whereabouts remain unknown. It demanded immediate release of Bora, Dipke and all other detained protesters.</p><p> CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas said an AISA representative informed him that Bora was picked up by Delhi Police at Mandi House while on her way to join the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest.</p><p> "Taken away alone, without her phone, her whereabouts are now unknown," Brittas said in a post on X.</p><p> "Detention cannot become disappearance. Delhi Police must disclose where Neha is, ensure her access to her family, friends and comrades. Moreover, police should explain the grounds for her detention," he said.</p><p> CJP legal head Ratna Singh also demanded Delhi Police immediately disclose the whereabouts of both Dipke and Bora, saying their families and lawyers should be informed of their location and legal status.</p><p> "Where are Neha and Abhijeet? Delhi Police must answer," Singh said in a post on X.</p><p> Dipke was detained from Jhandewalan while on his way to Connaught Place, while Bora was detained at Mandi House, police sources said.</p><p> Police said around 150 people have been detained as part of efforts to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic movement. Security personnel cordoned off Central Park in Connaught Place, with Rapid Action Force personnel deployed inside and additional forces stationed in the area. PTI AO ARB</p><p>ARB</p><p><i>(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)</i></p>

from 'Modi Ji, Your MEA Officials Are Confused': Rahul Gandhi Mocks Centre Over Rubio's Mumbai Visit https://ift.tt/0Wgj38o
via IFTTT