VIOLENCE ERUPTS AT INDIA GATE

VIOLENCE ERUPTS AT INDIA GATE

Violence erupted at India Gate on Sunday,23^rd December (2^nd agitation) when protesters pelted stones and fought a pitched battles using rods with the police which repeatedly lobbed teargas shells, resorted to use of water jets and used force to disperse the agitators.Amid reports that ‘some elements’ were inciting violence, clashes erupted for the second time within 90 minutes at around 2:30 p.m. when protesters pelted stones at the police which had barricaded Rajpath leading to Raisina Hills but the reason for the provocation could not be ascertained.At 3:15 p.m. again, the police lobbed teargas shells and used water jets after the protesters resorted to stone-pelting.Some protesters also used rods to attack policemen, eyewitnesses said.

However, most of the protesters remained peaceful and objected to the use of violence during the protests. They alleged that those who indulged in violence had motives.The police resorted to lobbing several teargas shells and use of force to disperse the crowd on Rajpath near the War Memorial, injuring several people including some media persons.The protesters damaged the barricades erected on the lawns for Republic Day functions next month, damaged vehicles and even blocked traffic around India Gate and its arterial roads for hours.Teargas shells were lobbed at the agitators near India Gate at around one PM as they tried to enter Rajpath to head towards Raisina Hills. However, later they were allowed to proceed in a bid to ease traffic on the radial road.The protesters then tried to cross the barricades and clashed with the police who resorted to the use of water cannons at 1:15 p.m.

This was the second successive day that the police resorted to lobbing teargas shells and spraying of waterjets besides using force to contain the protest demanding speedy justice and stringent punishment for the accused in last Sunday night’s incident.Doctors at the Safdarjung Hospital said the condition of the victim continues to be critical.A group of protesters also met Sonia and Rahul Gandhi during which the Congress top leaders assured speedy action while refusing to give a time-frame for it.Earlier, the police imposed prohibitory orders under under Section 144 of CrPC in New Delhi district banning the assembly of four or more persons to check the violence.Some protesters indulged in violence as they stopped East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit at India Gate, heckled him and damaged his car as well as a government jeep ferrying officials and clashed with the police while trying to march towards Raisina Hills, where Rashtrapati Bhavan and key government ministries are located.

Central Delhi faced huge traffic chaos due to a security clampdown on Rajpath even as protesters blocked roads near India Gate.Early this morning, around 50-60 protesters, who stayed put at Raisina Hills throughout the night and some others infront of Sonia Gandhi’s 10, Janpath residence, were evacuated while high drama was witnessed at India Gate when agitators resisted police attempts to detain them for defying prohibitory orders.Eight Metro stations near India Gate and Raisina Hills were closed as part of police measures to contain the agitation.The police after clamping prohibitory orders in New Delhi district asked protesters to stage demonstrations either at Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan.

As it repeatedly resorted to lobbing teargas shells and use of force against protesters at India Gate, Delhi Police on Sunday claimed that some “vested interests” had joined the protesters and were instigating violence.In its report sent to Home Ministry, sources said, police claimed that it had to resort to baton charge and lobbing teargas shells due to violence.

Sources said Delhi Police informed the Ministry that “some vested interests” had joined the protesters and were fomenting trouble.“Police had to take action like lathi-charge and lobbing teargas because of violence. Otherwise it is taking extra precaution to maintain peace,” sources quoted Delhi Police as saying.

Earlier in the day, police asked youths protesting against the gang-rape of a young girl to stage demonstrations either at Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan.“Protestors may go to Ramlila Maidan or Jantar Mantar. Traffic has been diverted from Vijay Chowk and Rajpath,” a Delhi Police statement said.It said prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been issued in New Delhi area except at Jantar Mantar.However, police had to resort to repeated baton charge and lobbing of teargas shells as the protest at India Gate turned violent.

Prof. John Kurakar