Posters and slogans praising top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, who was killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh earlier this month, emerged during a protest at Delhi's India Gate on Sunday, as a demonstration against the national capital's toxic air spiralled into violence.
Maoist slogans trigger alert at India Gate
Amidst the unrest, slogan-raising protesters were heard shouting, “Madvi Hidma Amar Rahe”, a slogan that means 'Long Live Madvi Hidma.' A few minutes before the situation turned violent, a man was seen carrying a poster that read: “From Birsa Munda to Madvi Hidma, the struggle of our forests and environment will go on.”
Also Read | Delhi AQI soars to 397 with 20 stations in ‘severe’ zone; chilli-spray attack leaves cops injured
Delhi Police said that strict action will be taken against those who raised Maoist slogans. “The police will identify those who raised such slogans at India Gate and take legal action against them. We will file a case against them,” officials said.
Who was Madvi Hidma?
Hidma, born in Sukma in 1981, was a prominent Maoist commander linked to at least 26 attacks on security forces and civilians. He commanded a battalion of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and was the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee. He carried a reward of ₹50 lakh and was associated with major strikes like the 2010 Dantewada attack that killed 76 CRPF personnel, the 2013 Jhiram Ghati ambush that left 27 dead, and the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur encounter in which 22 security personnel were killed.
Air pollution protest turns chaotic
What began as a citizens’ demonstration against Delhi’s hazardous air quality soon turned chaotic. Officials said that a group of protesters entered the C-Hexagon area, attempting to cross barricades placed to regulate movement.
As per a report by NDTV, the police said, “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.”
He further said, “They refused and broke the barricade. When our teams were trying to remove them, some of the protesters attacked police personnel using chilli spray.”
Also Read | ‘Let Us Breathe’: Delhi hits streets with masks, oxygen cylinders to protest choking air
Three to four police personnel were injured and are receiving treatment at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. Police said 15 people have been arrested, and a case has been registered under sections relating to obstruction of government work.
