An anti-pollution protest at Delhi's India Gate turned violent. Some protestors chanted slogans in support of Hidma and used pepper spray. Police arrested 23 people and registered an FIR under several sections, including BNS Section 197.
India Gate Protest: An anti-pollution protest at Delhi's India Gate took a serious turn when some protestors chanted slogans in support of Naxal commander Madvi Hidma. Following the incident of pepper spraying police, Delhi Police took strict action, adding Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relates to endangering national unity, to the FIR. Officials stated that protestors had posters of Hidma and were chanting 'Lal Salaam' slogans, leading to an investigation into a possible urban Naxal connection.
Anti-Pollution Protest Turned Violent
The anti-pollution protest, which began on Sunday at India Gate C-Hexagon, escalated into violence when police attempted to clear protestors from the road. According to the police, protestors used chili spray or pepper spray, causing severe eye irritation to several police personnel who had to be hospitalized. Devesh Kumar Mahla, DCP of New Delhi, stated that this was the first time pepper spray had been used against police in such a protest. He added that barricades were set up to prevent traffic disruption, but protestors sat on the road, trapping ambulances and medical staff. When police arrived to remove them, they were attacked.
FIRs Registered at Two Police Stations, 23 Arrested
In this case, police have arrested a total of 23 people, and FIRs have been registered at two different police stations. The FIR registered at Kartavya Path Police Station includes BNS sections 74, 79, 115(2), 132, 221, 223, and 61(2). These sections relate to charges such as assault on women and children, assault on public servants, disobedience of orders, causing injury, and criminal conspiracy. The second FIR was registered at Sansad Marg Police Station, including BNS sections 223A, 132, 221, 121A, 126(2), and 3(5). These sections cover offenses related to damage to public property, conspiracy, wrongful restraint, and common intention.
Investigation Intensified Over Slogans Supporting Hidma
On Monday, when six arrested accused were produced in court, Judicial Magistrate First Class Arindam Singh Cheema viewed the protest video and directed the police to submit a copy of it. Police sought two days of custody from the court, stating that the accused were chanting slogans in favor of Hidma at India Gate, who was recently killed in an encounter with security forces in Andhra Pradesh. Citing the 'Lal Salaam' slogans and the use of pepper spray, police stated that interrogation is necessary to ascertain if they have any connection with a Maoist organization.
