Kashmir protests in London end peacefully amid heavy security

LONDON: A tight security cordon across central London following intense pressure from New Delhi and the Indian community ensured that the third major protest in London against recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir passed off without violence on Sunday.

The people, protesting against India’s move in Kashmir, and subjected to time and route restrictions, gathered outside Downing Street, passed through Whitehall and ended up in nearby Trafalgar Square. The protest was prohibited from reaching anywhere near the Indian high commission in Aldwych.

Belying expectations of over 40,000 people from across the UK planning to attend the event, the day saw less than 5,000 protestors carry placards against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “The Free Kashmir protests in the Whitehall and Trafalgar Square areas concluded on Sunday, 27 October at approximately 1650 hours. No arrests were made and all roads in the area have been reopened.” The security was a significant change from that in place on August 15 and September 3 outside India House, when the police were unable to prevent assault and violence outside the high commission, leading to some arrests. The incidents blew into a diplomatic row between New Delhi and London.

The enhanced security on Sunday marked a significant moment in the history of politics of the 1.5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the UK. The earlier two incidents of violence brought together large sections of the Indian community, which lobbied hard with UK authorities to ban the Sunday protest or ensure better security.

The protest included individuals from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. A memorandum was submitted to Downing Street before the gathering proceeded along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.