15 Arrested After Using Pepper Spray on Police During Delhi's Air Pollution Protests: Crisis Deepens as AQI Worsens

Officials have confirmed that a formal FIR has been registered under various legal provisions.

New Delhi:

Students who were detained during demonstrations against escalating pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region were transported to the Parliament Street Police Station, where they are currently undergoing medical assessments, according to officials on Monday.

These detentions followed Sunday's protest at the C-hexagon, where authorities took 15 individuals into custody after they allegedly refused to disperse despite multiple warnings from law enforcement.

Officials verified that a First Information Report has been registered under multiple sections, including those pertaining to obstruction of government duties. Delhi Police reported that approximately 15 people were arrested, with some individuals apprehended from India Gate and others from outside the Parliament Street police station.

Authorities claim that the protesters deployed pepper spray during the demonstration, causing irritation to three to four police officers, who subsequently required hospital treatment.

According to official accounts, several protesters had entered the C-hexagon area and attempted to breach barricades that were established to manage movement.

Police personnel informed the protesters that ambulances and medical teams were stuck behind the blockade and required urgent passage, but the demonstrators reportedly became "agitated" in response.

Recognizing potential escalation into a confrontation, officers advised the protesters to retreat. However, officials stated that the demonstrators disregarded these instructions, broke through the barricades, moved onto the road and sat down, compelling police intervention.

The group was subsequently removed from the C-hexagon to prevent additional disruption to traffic flow in this busy area.

This incident occurred just days after several individuals were detained on November 9 at India Gate during a "clean air protest," where participants demanded immediate government action and stricter policies to address what they characterized as an "air emergency" in the national Capital.

The protests have been occurring as visibility diminished across numerous parts of the city while toxic haze intensified, prompting renewed health advisories from authorities.

Neighboring NCR cities are also experiencing deteriorating air quality. Faridabad reported an AQI of 358, Gurugram 370, Ghaziabad 355, Greater Noida 342, and Noida 372.

While most Delhi localities have AQI readings between 300 and 400, several areas have already exceeded the 400 threshold, entering the 'severe' category. Officials indicate that conditions may deteriorate further if wind speeds remain low.

Amid worsening pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management for NCR and adjacent areas revised the Graded Response Action Plan on Saturday.

In an official statement, the CAQM announced that measures previously reserved for the 'severe' category under GRAP Stage IV would now be implemented at Stage III.

These measures include ensuring uninterrupted power supply to reduce diesel generator usage, deploying additional personnel at traffic congestion hotspots, issuing pollution alerts across media platforms, and expanding CNG and electric public transport fleets with increased service frequency, alongside differential fares to encourage off-peak travel.

Several measures previously categorized under Stage III for the 'very poor' category have been reclassified to Stage II. These include implementing staggered working hours for government offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.

The Centre may also consider implementing staggered timings for its offices throughout the region.

Restrictions previously designated for Stage IV during severe AQI, such as permitting public, municipal, and private offices to operate with only 50 percent staff capacity and requiring the remaining employees to work remotely, will now be applicable at Stage III.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has instructed private offices to function with 50 percent on-site staff and allow the remainder to work from home as a precautionary measure, as the capital continues to struggle with deteriorating air quality.