MEERUT: The beating up of young couples by the police at the Gandhi Park hereerupted into a controversy and triggered street protests by students on Wednesday. The Uttar Pradesh Government suspended four police officials, including an Additional Superintendent, and ordered a high-level probe.

The police action on Tuesday, shown on television, also figured in Parliament. The National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women have sought a report from the State Government.

Faced with the public outcry, the government put under suspension ASP Umesh Srivastava and circle officer Mukul Dwivedi. Two policewomen, inspector Madhu Malati and sub-inspector Mamata Gautam, who were caught on camera slapping girls, were placed under suspension on Tuesday.

Principal Secretary (Home) Alok Sinha told reporters in Lucknow that a high-level inquiry was ordered into the incidents and stern action would be taken against the erring police personnel. Legal opinion was being sought for registration of a case against Ms. Mamata Gautam.

Scores of students marched through the streets of Meerut shouting slogans against the police, burnt effigies of the women police personnel and demanded action against them.

A couple who were beaten up have been missing since Tuesday. The girl's mother said. ``Both of them are yet to come home".

Under Operation Majnu, the police, in the name of checking ``indecency'' and ``eve-teasing'' at public places, roughed up a number of couples sitting in the park. — PTI

Elders flay police drive

New Delhi Special Correspondent writes:

Operation Majnu came in for severe criticism in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The drive was a sign of the "sick" police mind, the members said. They demanded strict action against the officers concerned.

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