NEW DELHI: Delhi Police carried out a pre-planned early morning operation on Saturday to remove climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, according to senior police sources.According to sources quoted by news agency ANI, the move came after a strategy was finalised at a high-level meeting following the appointment of the new Delhi police commissioner, Anurag Kumar. Police later shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital, citing his deteriorating health and a Delhi High Court order.Operation planned to minimise resistance According to police sources, senior officers chose to act at daybreak when the number of protesters at the site was the lowest. They also identified a brief period when Wangchuk’s close aide, Abhijit Dipke, had stepped away from the protest site, leaving the stage without its primary coordinator. Around 30 to 35 personnel from the New Delhi district’s Special Staff and local police, dressed in plain clothes, entered the barricaded protest area. Sources said the operation was conducted on a strict need-to-know basis. Only a handful of senior officers were aware of the complete strategy, while inspectors and most personnel on the ground were instructed only to report to the protest site and remain in position without being informed of the full operational plan.Wangchuk escorted away behind white sheets Police personnel surrounded Wangchuk’s bed and covered it with large white sheets from all four sides before escorting him away from the stage, according to sources. The measure was taken to avoid crowd mobilisation and minimise commotion during the removal. Sources said the operation was carried out in three layers. Plainclothes officers first secured the stage and removed Wangchuk. In the second layer, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel prevented protesters outside the barricaded area from approaching the stage. In the third layer, senior Delhi Police officers monitored the operation from a control point near the ambulance and police vehicles. Traffic police then ensured a clear route for the ambulance carrying Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital.Protest continues after Wangchuk’s removal Shortly after the operation concluded, Abhijit Dipke returned to the protest site and alleged that Wangchuk had been removed in his absence. He also announced that he would continue the protest by observing a hunger strike. Police cite high court order and health concerns Delhi Police said the operation was carried out peacefully and appealed to protesters to vacate the Jantar Mantar site. According to the DCP, New Delhi, “As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon’ble high court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”Who is Anurag KumarThe appointment of Anurag Kumar, a 1994-batch IPS officer and intelligence veteran, as the new Delhi Police commissioner on Friday took many by surprise in official circles. He succeeds Satish Golchha in the role.
Profile and Experience of Anurag Kumar
Kumar, who was serving as special director in the Intelligence Bureau, worked in Delhi Police up to the rank of deputy commissioner of police (DCP) before moving to the IB on deputation, where he spent nearly two decades.(With inputs from PTI)
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