8 cops injured as idol immersion turns violent

New Delhi, October 19

Eight policemen, including a DCP, were injured today as a group of devotees participating in a Durga idol immersion procession turned violent, police said.

Owing to past experience of traffic congestion, separate entry and exit points were made at Yamuna Ghat this time. DCP (East) Pankaj Singh, ACP and SHO of Mayur Vihar Police Station were on duty during the immersion, joint commissioner of police (eastern range) Ravindra Yadav said.

A group of devotees from Sriniwaspuri tried to exit from the entry gate, resulting in congestion, he said.

When the staff deployed at the barricades tried to tell them to follow the correct route, they suddenly turned violent, he added.

"It seems they were under influence of liquor," Yadav said adding that the injured policemen are undergoing treatment. The DCP was hit on the face with a stick by someone who came from behind him. — PTI