By Tarushi Aswani
New Delhi: A ragged line of protesters sat in the middle of Man Singh Road, just in front of the India Gate, as the sun dipped behind a haze-laden sky. Their placards read, “We can’t breathe”, “Stop poisoning us”. The air – thick, metallic and toxic – hung over the capital with its familiar, suffocating weight.
But as slogans pierced the sickening air, what began as a defiant, peaceful sit-in to remind the government of its duties, transformed into a violent confrontation. As the Delhi Police surged ahead, bodies were dragged, barricades were breached. Some protesters were allegedly pepper-sprayed. The police also claimed to have been chilli-sprayed by the demonstrators. What was meant to be a voice raised for clean air turned into a brutal spectacle of might and force.
The demonstrators had gathered to demand meaningful government action against Delhi’s spiralling winter pollution. The air has been toxic in Delhi for over a month now, with the air quality index (AQI) showing a reading of over 400 – “hazardous” – in recent days.
Police said the protesters broke barricades and refused to move, obstructed ambulances and emergency access. When clashed, the police alleged that the protesters used pepper spray on the personnel. At least three to four officers reportedly suffered injuries and were taken for treatment.
Authorities arrested around 17 people, charging them under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for obstruction and assault on public servants. Judicial Magistrate Sahil Monga on November 24 remanded the 17 to three days in jail on Delhi Police’s plea seeking 14 days of judicial custody.
According to the Delhi Police, it was the first time pepper spray was used against officials in such a protest.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
