Delhi, 24 November (H.S.): A protest against the deteriorating air quality in the national capital turned violent on Sunday evening at India Gate after a group of demonstrators raised slogans supporting Madvi Hidma — a top Maoist commander killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh on November 18.

Posters declaring “Madvi Hidma Amar Rahe” (Long Live Madvi Hidma) and another reading “From Birsa Munda to Madvi Hidma, the struggle of our forests and environment will go on” surfaced moments before the demonstration escalated. Police have said that those involved in raising Maoist slogans will be identified and face legal action.

Hidma, born in 1981 in Sukma, was a key Maoist leader responsible for at least 26 major attacks on security forces and civilians. He led a battalion of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army, was the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee, and carried a bounty of ₹50 lakh. He is accused of orchestrating several deadly ambushes, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre that killed 76 CRPF personnel, the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack that claimed 27 lives including senior Congress leaders, and the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur encounter in which 22 security personnel died.

Protest Turns Violent

The peaceful protest saw hundreds gather demanding urgent action on Delhi’s hazardous air pollution levels. Chaos broke out when a section of protesters allegedly attempted to breach barricades at the C-Hexagon near India Gate.

Police officials said some protesters used chilli spray on personnel while resisting removal from the site. Three to four police officers sustained injuries and were admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. At least 15 individuals have been arrested and a case has been registered under sections related to obstructing government work.

Authorities said emergency vehicle access was blocked during the confrontation, worsening tensions.

Police reaffirmed that strict action will be taken against those involved in both violence and raising Maoist slogans.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar