A protest against rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR turned tense on Sunday. Police arrested at least 22 protesters for allegedly using pepper spray on officers. The protest took place at the C-hexagon near India Gate.
Protesters demanded stronger government action as the air quality worsened. Police said the group ignored repeated orders to leave. They added that the protesters tried to break the barricades set up to manage the crowd.
Police Issue Warnings
Officers warned the protesters that they were blocking the path for ambulances and medical staff. The protesters still refused to move and sat on the road. This made the situation worse.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla told IANS, “As we tried to remove them, some protesters attacked police personnel using chilli spray.”
He also said, “This matter is also under thorough investigation, and strict action will certainly be taken… An FIR has been registered under various sections, including against the use of force against the police, road blockades, and the use of chilli spray.”
Officers Injured, Taken to Hospital
Three to four police officers suffered eye and face irritation. Authorities admitted them to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.
Police File FIRs
Police filed two FIRs under several legal sections, including “obstruction of government work.” At Kartavya Path Police Station, officers arrested six male protesters under BNS sections 74, 79, 115(2), 132, 221, 223, and 61(2).
At Sansad Marg Police Station, they arrested more protesters and charged them under BNS sections 223A, 132, 221, 121A, 126(2), and 3(5).
First Known Use of Chilli Spray in a Delhi Protest
Police said this is the first time protesters used pepper or chilli spray against officers during crowd control in Delhi.
Organisers Condemn Arrests
The Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air criticised the police action. The group said the city’s toxic air now poses a “serious risk” to public health. It accused the government of using short-term measures like sprinklers, cloud seeding, and spot spraying instead of fixing deeper pollution problems.
Protests Continue Amid ‘Air Emergency’
This incident happened just days after another protest at India Gate. In that protest, people called the situation an “air emergency” and demanded an immediate response.