Rajasthan policeman kneels on neck of man who attacked him; video viral

Jodhpur: In a reminder of the George Floyd’s case, a video of a police constable pinning a man on the ground and kneeling on his neck in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur has gone viral on social media. Jodhpur DCP (West) Priti Chandra said the policeman had acted in self-defence to prevent the man from attacking him.

The incident took place Thursday when Mukesh Kumar Prajapat was caught roaming without a mask by two police constables. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the government has made it mandatory for citizens to wear a mask before stepping out.

Rajasthan’s #GeorgeFloyd moment: Police kneeling neck of a man who thrashed cop, threatened to kill them, in Jodhpur on Thursday evening. #BlackLivesMatter #blacklifematters @PoliceRajasthan pic.twitter.com/Z73HeG1zVL

— Rakesh Goswami (@DrRakeshGoswami) June 5, 2020

The policemen alleged that Prajapat began slapping and hitting them when they confronted him for violation of the norms.

One of the constables can been seen kneeling on Prajapat’s neck for a few seconds in the viral video.

Have attached full video shot at First Poolia, Kamla Nehru Nagar Ext, Jodhpur. The pic posted by you does not depict correct story. pic.twitter.com/UndjH3QKIX

— Dr Hilaluddin (@Hilalud56886934) June 5, 2020

“A constable clicked the person’s photo when he was not wearing a mask. And when the constable approached him and enquired why he was not wearing a mask, the person immediately pulled out a mask and threatened them that he will gouge their eyes,” DCP Chandra said.

“So, the policemen called for a jeep but before it could arrive, the man started slapping and punching both the constables – there are videos of the same. We have filed an FIR against him and arrested him,” she added.

The DCP said: “Dono constables daba ke baithenge, iske maar thori khayenge (It is natural that the cops will subdue him and not get beaten up).

“If a policeman is being slapped and punched while in uniform, then it is embarrassing for the entire society. I feel the society should be mature enough to realise that if a man is in uniform, then it shouldn’t mean that the person should be criticised without a reason…” she added.

Jodhpur police also referred to two cases filed against Prajapat, including one by his father filed last year where he had alleged that his son had gouged his eye.

Chandra said, “The person was without a mask, and in Jodhpur West alone, we are taking action against 400-600 (persons). If someone is not wearing a mask, then chances are high that the virus might spread fast.”

In the US, the recent killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis cop who knelt on his neck for nine minutes has sparked massive outrage across the country.