The national capital continued to boil over beyond midnight on Friday over the Citizenship Amendment Bill as several people gathered outside the Delhi Police headquarters at ITO demanding the release of around 40 persons, including minors, detained during protests in Daryaganj.
Another 15 were arrested on Saturday in connection with the violence at Daryaganj and they are being charged with the offence of rioting.
Most of the protesters had gone to ITO on Friday night from another protest at the India Gate and were raising slogans against the Delhi Police after hearing about the clash between cops and protesters at Daryagunj. Some also continued protests at Jama Masjid in Old Delhi.
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According to the police, they resorted to lathi-charge and used water cannon to disperse protesters near Delhi Gate after sones were being hurled on security personnel. The police added that the protesters set ablaze a private car parked at Subhash Marg area, Daryaganj.T he fire was immediately doused with water and fire extinguishers.
The Delhi Police detained 40 people in connection with the protest in Daryaganj, officials said.
A Delhi court has directed SHO, Daryaganj, to allow detainees to meet their legal counsel in the police station.
The direction was given by Arul Verma, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Central District, Delhi, after hearing on late Friday an application seeking directions to be issued to concerned police authorities to let the advocates meet those detained. It was submitted that a certain number of individuals, including minors, had been detained at Daryaganj Police Station.
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The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate has also directed the police to provide the detainees necessary medical treatment as lawyers apprised the Magistrate that some of the detainees have been kept in detention in an injured condition.
Police denied baton charging the protesters and using teargas, saying it used "mild force" and water cannon.
However, more than 30 people were injured in the police action to contain the protests. Some policemen were also hurt.
"Hours after the violent protest near Delhi Gate, around 42 injured people, including eight policemen, got medical treatment at Lok Nayak Hospital. Two people admitted to the hospital have been seriously injured but their condition is not life-threatening at present. One person who has suffered a fracture in his leg is admitted in a ward," Dr Kishore Singh, MS, Lok Nayak Hospital told PTI
On Friday afternoon, a large number of people gathered in the area of Jama Masjid for Friday prayers. At the same time, protesters had gathered there under the call of Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan, who was not granted police permission for a rally from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar.
"After the prayers, they wanted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar, but police persuaded them not to march towards Jantar Mantar, as the capacity of Jantar Mantar is meant for gatherings below 1,000 and also as no prior permission had been granted," a senior police officer said.
The protesters heeded to police advice and dispersed from Jama Masjid, but later assembled at Delhi Gate.
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A separate protest of students and people from all walks of life was being held since 5 pm at India Gate. The protest stretched till the night and on hearing news of police action on protesters in Daryagunj, many from India Gate and other places headed to ITO to protest.
A number of people also gathered at the Jama Masjid at night under Ravan's call who had escaped police detention earlier in the day. After a protest and sit-in on the stairs of Jama Masjid, the protesters were finally dispersed in the wee hours of Saturday and Azad was taken in police custody.
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There were large gatherings also in the areas of Seelampur, Shastri Park, Jamia Nagar and Shaheen Bagh. Senior officers, with the help of prominent locals of the respective areas, constantly persuaded them and they were dispersed peacefully, the officer said.
(With inputs from agencies)
