newspop
New Delhi: Amid the continuing debate over the police response to the July 20 protest in the national capital, CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh has assured officers and jawans that the force will fully support personnel acting in good faith while carrying out their official duties.
Speaking at an investiture ceremony on Wednesday, Singh encouraged newly inducted personnel to perform their responsibilities with confidence and without fear. He said the CRPF leadership would stand firmly behind every bona fide operational decision and that he would personally accept responsibility wherever required.
“As the Director General of the CRPF, I assure each one of you that any decision taken in the bona fide discharge of official duties will have my full support. Carry out your responsibilities fearlessly. Wherever accountability is required, I will take it as the Director General,” he said.
Though Singh did not specifically refer to the July 20 protest, his remarks come against the backdrop of allegations that security forces used excessive force while dispersing demonstrators during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Protesters have alleged the use of pellet guns, electric batons, tear gas and lathi charge during the operation.
Earlier this week, CRPF headquarters also reiterated its support for personnel, stating that officers and jawans acting in the bona fide discharge of duty would receive full institutional backing. The force praised its personnel for maintaining restraint and professionalism while handling sensitive law-and-order situations.
According to PTI, the CRPF has said a Court of Inquiry will be ordered only if an ongoing internal assessment by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CRPF finds that personnel violated standard operating procedures or acted improperly. The force also plans a detailed post-operation review to assess the deployment and response.
The July 20 protest continues to trigger political and legal scrutiny. While protesters and several reports have alleged the use of pellet guns, the CRPF, RAF and Delhi Police have denied using excessive force. During a discussion in Parliament, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh maintained that only tear gas was used to disperse the crowd and that no bullets were fired.
Opposition parties have continued to demand accountability over the handling of the protest, while the Centre has defended the actions of security agencies, stating they acted in accordance with established legal procedures.
