Stir over India farm laws: Many arrested

Scotland Yard has reportedly made a number of arrests after it warned of enforcement action ahead of thousands of protesters from different parts of the UK gathering outside the Indian High Commission in central London on Sunday, as a show of support for farmers demonstrating against agricultural reforms in India.

Several police officers in face masks descended upon Aldwych to police the “We stand with farmers of Punjab” demonstration, having warned that strict regulations remain in place to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus and therefore demonstrations of larger than 30 risk arrests and fines.

The Metropolitan Police had said a “robust” policing plan will be in place throughout Sunday and officers will take action if they witness breaches of the regulations.

The Metropolitan Police said that 13 people in total were arrested for breach of Covid-19 regulations. Four of them were subsequently de-arrested after they provided their details to officers and were issued a fine. The other nine remain in custody. Three teenagers who were seen to set off a firework towards a crowd were spoken to by police and the fireworks were confiscated from them.

They were not arrested and police said that there had been no reported injuries from the demon

London, Dec. 7:

We had issued a reminder urging those who were planning to attend to reconsider but, unfortunately, a number of people decided not to follow that advice. A proportionate policing plan was in place, the demonstration has now concluded and those in attendance have begun to leave.

—

Met Police Commander

PAUL BROGDEN

stration. “We had issued a reminder urging those who were planning to attend to reconsider but, unfortunately, a number of people decided not to follow that advice. A proportionate policing plan was in place, the demonstration has now concluded and those in attendance have begun to leave,” said Met Police Commander Paul Brogden.

“If you attend a gathering that breaches the regulations, you may be committing an offence, which is punishable by a fine. In certain circumstances, if you hold a gathering of over 30 persons and you do not meet the requirements of the regulations you might be committing a different offence, which is also punishable by a fine,” he said.

The demonstration, largely made up of British Sikhs, involved placard waving with messages such as “Justice for Farmers” and sloganeering as well as several cars blocking roads.