New Delhi: Delhi Police on Monday arrested 15 people for obstructing law enforcement personnel, assaulting officers, and blocking traffic during a protest at India Gate against the capital’s worsening air pollution.
The protest escalated on Sunday when some demonstrators allegedly used pepper spray on police while being removed from the site. A senior police officer said the protesters had gathered near the C-Hexagon and were warned that their demonstration was blocking ambulances and medical personnel. The situation reportedly turned into a scuffle, prompting police action and the arrests.
The Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air stated that the city’s deteriorating air quality poses a “serious risk” to public health. The group criticized authorities for relying on temporary measures, including water sprinklers, cloud seeding, and spraying near Air Quality Index stations, rather than addressing the root causes of pollution. They also noted that air quality has consistently remained in the “severe” category.
