A protest in Delhi against the city's hazardous air pollution turned violent on Sunday, resulting in the arrest of 15 individuals. The demonstrators, gathered at India Gate to voice their concerns over the rising pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region, allegedly attacked police personnel with pepper spray while being removed from the site.
The incident occurred as police attempted to disperse the protesters, who were demanding immediate action to combat Delhi's "very poor" air quality. Tensions escalated when some protesters tried to breach barricades in the C-Hexagon area near India Gate, leading to obstruction of ambulances and other emergency vehicles. Police reports indicate that officers tried to reason with the protesters, explaining the need to keep the roads clear for emergency services, but the situation worsened.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), Devesh Kumar Mahla, the use of pepper spray against law enforcement was unprecedented during a crowd control situation. "This was very unusual. For the first time, protestors used chilli spray on officers managing traffic and law and order," Mahla told PTI. Several officers sustained injuries from the pepper spray, with three to four needing treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for eye and face irritation.
Adding another layer of complexity to the event, some protesters displayed posters and chanted slogans supporting Madvi Hidma, a Maoist commander killed earlier this month with a substantial bounty on his head. Slogans such as "Madvi Hidma Amar Rahe" (Long Live Madvi Hidma) were reportedly chanted. This controversial display has prompted an investigation into how such posters and slogans surfaced at a protest ostensibly focused on environmental concerns.
The Delhi Police have registered an FIR and have initiated investigations into the violence, the use of pepper spray, and the appearance of Maoist propaganda at the protest site. Authorities have assured that appropriate action will be taken against those who attacked the police and raised slogans in support of the Maoist commander.
The incident has sparked debate and raised questions about the motives and affiliations of some of the protesters. While the primary concern was air pollution, the glorification of a Naxal commander has led to speculation that the protest may have been hijacked or infiltrated by groups with ulterior motives. The police are currently investigating these aspects to determine the full scope of the situation.
The arrested individuals face charges of obstructing official work, blocking the road, and using pepper spray on police personnel. The incident underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing protests and maintaining order while safeguarding the rights of citizens to express their concerns. It also highlights the complexities of addressing environmental issues in a politically charged environment, where various interest groups may seek to exploit public grievances for their own purposes.
