New Delhi: A group of JNU students on Saturday protested at the Bihar Bhawan here against the alleged killing of two Dalit CPI(ML) activists in the state's Begusarai district last month and were detained after they entered into a heated argument with a police officer.
A senior police official said the incident took place after the protesters were coming out of the Bhawan's premises, and a stick, attached to a banner they were carrying, hit an Assistant Commissioner-rank officer present there, leading to the argument.
The situation then went out of control, posing a potential threat to law and order, and the students were taken to Chanakyapuri Police Station where they were detained for a few hours.
The students also alleged that they were manhandled by the police, a charge denied by it.
"We were peacefully staging a protest outside Bihar Bhawan demanding action against the killing of our comrades. When we went inside to submit a memorandum, police officials prevented us by manhandling and violently attacking," Sucheta De, National President, All India Students Association (AISA) claimed.
After initially stoppiong them, a small delegation of students was later allowed to enter the Bhawan's premises.
The protesters who were detained included CPI(ML) Delhi state secretary Ravi Rai and JNUSU General Secretary Rama Naga.
Naga, was also among those charged with sedition in connection with the controversial event on JNU campus in February during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.
"The protesters were detained under Section 144 CrPC," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said.
Senior officials further said some confrontation between the protesters and police did take place but there was not attack or manhandling.
Two CPI(ML) Liberation activists were shot dead in Masudanpur diara under Balia police station of Begusarai district on March 21.
