New Delhi: Scotland Yard has reportedly made a series of arrests after warning of enforcement measures before thousands of protesters from different parts of the UK gathered in front of the High Commission of India in central London on Sunday, as shows support for farmers protesting against agricultural reforms in India.
Several police officers wearing face masks descended on Aldwych to guard the ‘We stand with the farmers of Punjab’ demonstration, having warned that strict regulations remain in place to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and thus the demonstrations of more than 30 they risk arrests and fines.
The Metropolitan Police had said that a robust policing plan will be implemented throughout Sunday and that officers will take action if they witness violations of regulations.
The Metropolitan Police said that a total of 13 people were arrested for breaching the COVID-19 regulations. Subsequently, four of them were removed from detention after providing their details to the officers and a fine was imposed. The other nine remain in custody.
Police spoke with three teenagers who were seen launching fireworks into a crowd and had the fireworks confiscated. They were not arrested and police said no injuries were reported at the demonstration.
“We had issued a reminder urging those planning to attend to reconsider, but, unfortunately, several people decided not to take that advice. A proportionate policing plan has been put in place, the rally is over and attendees have started to leave, ”said Met Police Commander Paul Brogden.
“If you attend a meeting that violates the rules, you may be committing a crime, which is punishable by a fine. In certain circumstances, if you have a meeting of more than 30 people and you do not comply with the requirements of the regulations, you could be committing a different crime, which is also punishable by a fine, “he said.
“I highly recommend anyone planning to come to the Aldwych area to reconsider. I also encourage everyone currently attending to leave the area. Our officers will take appropriate action when necessary, ”he said.
The demonstration, largely made up of British Sikhs, included posters with messages such as Justice for Farmers and slogans, as well as several cars blocking roads.
A poster on display during the farmers’ protest. Photo: Twitter / @ RKDasgupta
“Our High Commission has been coordinating closely with the concerned authorities and together with them we will address issues that have arisen, for example how this gathering of thousands could take place without specific permission,” said a spokesperson for the High Commission of India. The spokesman also blamed “anti-India separatists” for the protests.
The High Commission reiterated the government’s position that the protest against the agrarian reform bills in India is part of an internal democratic process.
The protest comes after a group of 36 British MPs led by British Sikh Labor MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi wrote to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, asking him to make statements to his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar , on the impact on British Punjabis affected by the Indian farmer demonstrations.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has said that while it has not received the letter yet, the matter is an internal Indian problem. Police handling of the protests is a matter for the Indian government, an FCDO spokesman said.
The Indian mission to the UK said that it has fully briefed relevant stakeholders in the UK government and Parliament on the key features of the innovative agricultural sector reforms initiated by the Government of India.
Thousands of farmers have been protesting across Delhi’s various borders since November 26, seeking the repeal of three farm laws enacted in September. By calling these laws “anti-farmer”, these farmers claim that the recently enacted legislation would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of large corporations.
In conversations with the Center, the farmers have refused to agree to anything except the total withdrawal of the laws.
(With PTI inputs)
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