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Jamia firing happened in seconds, didn't have time to react: Police

January 30, 2020 23:02 IST

IMAGE: A person (face blurred as his being an adult could not be ascertained), brandishes a gun towards people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act, near Jamia Millia Islamia University, in New Delhi, on Thursday. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Jamia firing incident happened in a matter of seconds and by the time police could react, the man, who has been arrested, had fired his pistol at a group of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters, the Delhi Police said on Thursday.

 

The statement came after the Delhi Police faced flak from Jamia Millia Islamia students and the Aam Aadmi Party alleged that the force's personnel were 'mute spectators'.

"By the time police could react, the person had already fired the shot. Everything happened in seconds. The investigation is on.

"The case has been transferred to the Crime Branch. We are also probing whether he is a juvenile or not," Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) Praveer Ranjan.

IMAGE: Police detain the person after he brandished a gun and opened fire towards students protesting against the CAA. Photograph: PTI Photo

Tension spiralled in Jamia Nagar on Thursday afternoon after the man, who identified himself as 'Rambhakt Gopal', fired at protesters, injuring a Jamia Millia Islamia student, before walking away while waving the firearm above his head and shouting 'Yeh lo Aazadi', amid heavy police presence.

Shadab Farooq, a mass communication student, was injured.

The case has been transferred to the Crime Branch, police said.

Joint Commissioner of Police (southern range) Devesh Srivastava said based on the statement of the victim, a case of attempt to murder has been registered.

Special Commissioner of Law and Order (North) Satish Golcha met Farooq at the AIIMS trauma centre where he is currently undergoing treatment.

"We met him. He is stable now. The bullet has been removed and he also spoke to the doctor," Golcha said.

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