Protest against toxic air in Delhi turns violent as agitators attack police with ‘pepper spray’; 15 detained | Delhi News

NEW DELHI: Police on Sunday detained 15 people protesting against Delhi’s worsening pollution at C Hexagon after they allegedly refused to disperse. A senior officer said the protesters used pepper spray on personnel, triggering a brief scuffle. Three to four policemen suffered irritation from the spray and were taken to hospital.Police said legal action will be taken against those involved.“Some of the protesters had entered the C-hexagon and attempted to cross the barricades put up to restrict movement. We tried to explain to them that many ambulances and medical personnel were stuck behind them and required emergency access, but they got very agitated,” the senior officer said.The police personnel sensed the situation could escalate to a scuffle and advised the protesters to step back.“They refused, broke the barricade, came onto the road, and sat there. When our teams were trying to remove them, some of the protestors attacked police personnel using chilli spray. Three to four personnel sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment,” the officer said.The protestors were subsequently removed from the C-hexagon to avoid traffic disruption.“This was very unusual. For the first time, protestors used chilli spray on officers managing traffic and law and order,” deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla told PTI.(With agency inputs)