San Marcos resident: police entered without permission, saying they have the right to intervene, attack and insult

Joselyn Melgar, a student at the National University of the Mayor of San Marcos (UNMSM), described how agents of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) infiltrated the university dormitory. According to the student, the police officers claimed that they could enter without permission because they were in a state of emergency, and that, in addition, according to her, they had the right to beat and insult them.

“I started hearing noises in the hallways of the university residence and managed to block my door. What the police did was break down the door, come in and take me out of the university residence, on the grounds that we are in a state of emergency and they can intervene at will, attack me and insult me”, he assured.

He also submitted that at the time of the intervention there were no prosecutors or employees of the Ombudsman’s office.

“We asked them what permission or order they received. In our case, they told us that there was no order, that we were simply in a state of emergency, and that they had every right to intervene in any space, violating fundamental rights, such as integrity and the infrastructure that the university has. There is not even an ombudsman’s office, no authority, except for the police, who are now cruelly treating people.”, he added.

“They broke down the doors to get the students out”

Joselyn Melgar reported that members National Police they broke down doors, dragged students off campus, and forced them to sign papers.

“At exit 3 there are a large number of officers who not only attack people, but also insult and separate them. In this case, we are residents of a university on Campus, and what the police officers have done is not only infiltrating and trampling on university autonomy, but infiltrating such personal space as the university dormitory. They entered, they broke down the doors, they dragged the students out with the intention, as they say, that we introduce ourselves. what actually happened was they moved us to gate 3 and put us on the floor so we could get in and check in.It almost looks like they’re starting an investigation. We were treated like criminals,” he said.

“They beat colleagues, attacked colleagues who suffer from anxiety. They don’t even treat them. There are colleagues who fainted. And residents are forced to register without the presence of the prosecutor’s office. This is the most serious. There are no constitutional guarantees for the detention that is taking place,” he concluded.