UP: Cops use plastic stool, wicker basket as riot gear amid violent protests, DGP seeks explanation

Team Udayavani, Jun 17, 2021, 4:35 PM IST

Image posted on Twitter

Lucknow: Images and a four-second clip of two policemen using plastic stool and a wicker basket too protect themselves while trying to break up a local protest in Uttar Pradesh’s Akrampur has gone viral on social media.

The viral image caught the attention of State DGP who has demanded an explanation from the Unnao SP on the issue while suspending a Station House Office (SHO).

The incident took place on Tuesday when residents of Akrampur staged a protest over the death of two youth in a road accident by using the bodies to block the road.

The police team – riot police and other security forces, some of whom were armed reached the spot to disperse the protestors but the situation spiralled out of control and the villagers began pelting stones at the cops. It is gathered that as many as18 policemen were injured in the vandalism.

Amid the tension and violence, one four-second clip showing a cop ‘wearing’ a plastic stool as a helmet and another with a basket cover as a shield was soon widely shared online.

#WATCH | Several policemen injured as locals protesting over deaths of 2 bike riders in an accident pelted stones at them in Unnao y’day. 43 people booked & arrested. An inspector, a chowki in-charge & 2 constables suspended for not wearing anti-riot gear properly: Police pic.twitter.com/IeVx0KNBt4

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 17, 2021

In the video the cop is seen holding the stool with one hand and brandishing his lathi as he and his colleagues try to restore order.

UP Police posted a statement on Twitter saying an explanation has been sought from local officials.

“An elaborate SOP and sufficient riot gear have been given to all districts to deal with any Law and Order situation. In a Law and Order situation in Unnao, despite intelligence input, the force was ill-equipped, for which the DGP has sought explanation of the SP and, at the local level, the SHO has been suspended,” UP Police said.