Delhi Police have registered FIRs against protesters demonstrating under the banner of Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air over air pollution and have taken 23 individuals into custody.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): On 23 November, under the banner of Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air, a large number of students, social activists, and Delhi residents gathered at India Gate to protest the continuous deterioration in the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) due to the failure of the Delhi Pollution Control Board and the government to control air pollution.
During the protest, when police tried to stop the gathering, a clash broke out with the Delhi Police, in which 3–4 police personnel received minor injuries. During the scuffle, some individuals attempted to attack police personnel with pepper spray, and slogans were raised in support of Naxal commander Madvi Hidma (who was recently killed in a police encounter).
Following the incident, Delhi Police registered two separate FIRs — one at Kartavya Path Police Station and another at Parliament Street Police Station. A total of 6 persons were named in the first FIR and 17 in the second, and all were arrested.
The administration has booked the arrested individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
● Obstructing government work
● Violating government orders
● Breaking traffic rules
● Clashing with police
● Acts prejudicial to national integrity
The accused were produced in court. On 24 November, the court sent 17 persons to 3 days’ judicial custody and 5 persons to 2 days’ judicial custody. Some of the arrested protesters (especially women) have accused the police of beating them in custody.
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The Delhi administration stated that they had gone to stop the protesters from demonstrating in the India Gate area (because the Supreme Court has designated Jantar Mantar as the only place for protests). When the protesters refused to disperse, they started pushing and shoving the police personnel. Some individuals then tried to attack police officers with pepper spray (chilli spray).
(Police say the protesters had come “fully prepared” and the demonstration was “unprecedented”.) Protesters also started raising slogans in support of Naxal commander Madvi Hidma (recently killed in an encounter). When they still refused to leave despite police warnings, force had to be used. Thereafter, 23 individuals were arrested and produced in court.
Police will also investigate whether the arrested persons have any links with urban Naxals, because during the incident some people were holding posters and shouting slogans in favour of Hidma, which poses a threat to national security.