The Indian high commission on Sunday questioned the security provided by Scotland Yard after nearly 4,000 protesters were allowed to gather to protest against farm laws in a rally that it said included anti-Indian elements.
Scotland Yard arrested four people, including a man and three teenagers, and advised motorists to avoid the area around the Indian mission in central London after thousands of people converged from various parts of the UK, prompting traffic jams in the area for a few hours.
Indian neighborhoods expressed strong disappointment over the security arrangements after protesters were allowed in despite the current restrictions on Covid-19 and police declared that a “strong policing plan” had been in place.
Indian diplomat Vishwesh Negi said: “The high commission had been informed that, according to the usual practice, permission had been requested … for a protest involving some 40 vehicles. We also knew that the police had specifically warned against the gathering of more than 30 people. “
“The developing situation was brought to the attention of the UK Foreign Office and the UK Home Office. The London Metropolitan Police managed, controlled and ultimately eliminated the crowds. We saw that some violent people were arrested ”.
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“Our high commission has been coordinating closely with the authorities involved and, together with them, we will address the issues that have arisen: for example, how this gathering of thousands could take place without specific permission, etc.,” he added.
The teens were arrested after they were seen launching “fireworks into a large crowd. They were also found to be in possession of several other fireworks, ”police said, adding that officers are present at the protest in the Aldwych area.
Motorists were advised to avoid the Strand, Waterloo Bridge and Fleet Street near the Indian Mission, which was cordoned off by a line of police officers, as a large crowd shouted slogans and held anti-Narendra Modi government banners across the road . demanding the removal of controversial farm laws.
There were also some demonstrations in Trafalgar Square. Reports from various parts of London and some access roads to the capital also witnessed traffic jams as protesters arriving from various locations drove cars with flags and placards.
Negi added: “Unsurprisingly, it soon became clear that the meeting was led by anti-India separatists who had seized the opportunity of the agricultural protests apparently not to support farmers in India, but to seize the opportunity to pursue their own. schedule”.
“As many of you know, the protest against the agrarian reform bills in India is part of a democratic process. It is a work in progress in our functional democracy. The government of India is in talks with the protesters which are still ongoing. It goes without saying that it is an internal problem in India. “
Indian officials have been briefing British government and parliament interlocutors in recent days on the key features of the agricultural sector reforms.
The protesters had gathered in central London even after police issued a reminder that strict regulations remain in place to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease. The reminder meant that anyone gathering for the protest risks enforcement action by officers, police said.
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