At least eight pavement dwellers were injured when a scuffle broke out between them and the security guards at the AIIMS Trauma Centre on Thursday night. The police have registered a case and started a probe.
The victims have alleged that the guards beat them up while hospital has claimed that its guards were attacked.
Recalling the incident, 35-year-old Manoj, who runs a tea stall next to the Trauma Centre, alleged that around 11.15 p.m., children were playing on the pavement when the security guards came and started beating them with sticks and asked them to leave. Hearing the commotion, the children’s parents came and asked them to stop, he said.
‘Outnumbered’
Manoj claimed that the pavement dwellers retaliated but they were outnumbered by the guards .
“They attacked us with sticks, iron rods and stones. After beating us outside, they closed the gates and threw stones from inside. We retaliated but couldn’t do much. Nearly 8-10 people have suffered injuries and many have suffered fractures,” Manoj claimed adding that the clash went on for about an hour and a half. When the locals called the police, they did nothing, alleged Manoj.
On Friday morning, the pavement dwellers submitted a complaint at Safdarjung Enclave Police Station after which a case was registered. “We are looking into the matter and verifying the claims made by the pavement dwellers. No one should be beaten up by like that. Senior officers of the area have been asked to submit a report at the earliest,” said Additional DCP(south) Chinmoy Biswal.
An AIIMS doctor alleged that 20-25 people tried to attack the guards instead. “A few gypsies have started living here. They are creating problem intermittently. On Thursday night, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, they tried to attack the guards,” he said.