Shaheen Bagh attacked

‘Inflammable substance’ hurled near site: Cops

New Delhi, March 22: Unidentified men hurled “inflammable substance” near the site of anti-citizenship law protest in Shaheen Bagh but none of the five women protesters present there were injured, police said.

However, the protestors alleged that the attackers came on motorcycles and hurled petrol bombs. The incident happened around 9.15 am when entire Delhi was observing a ‘Janata curfew’ with people staying indoors in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Police found a banner, rugs, burnt bamboo and a few broken bottles. Some bottles were also found in a lane near the protest site, said deputy commissioner of police (Southeast) R.P. Meena.

Initial investigation revealed that a person set a banner on fire after “putting inflammable substance using a lighter,” Meena said, adding a case has been registered at Shaheen Bagh police station. One of the volunteers who did not wish to be identified said the men threw a petrol bomb in a lane near the protest site. “They had petrol bombs but there were not many people around then. Only five women were sitting on protest,” he said.

He said there has been a difference of opinion between two groups over continuing the protest and police had to be called in when they fought on

Saturday. A police official said they suspect an insider’s involvement in Sunday’s incident as the protesters had clashed on Thursday too.

“We were informed about a fight at the protest venue and had to intervene to sort out the matter,” he said. A section of protesters want to end the agitation due the coronavirus outbreak but others want to continue. Many have left their slippers there as a symbol of their solidarity.