New Delhi: The Delhi Police has arrested 96 persons, including Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad on charges of rioting and unlawful assembly, officials said on Thursday.
Azad will be produced before a court on Thursday, a senior police officer said. The Dalit leader and around 95 others were detained on Wednesday night from Tughlaqabad area after protest by Dalits against the demolition of a Ravidas temple turned violent, prompting police to resort to “mild lathicharge” and use tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“An FIR has been registered on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty, causing damage to public property, among others.
“Chandrashekhar has been arrested along with 95 other protesters,” said Devesh Srivastava, joint commissioner of police, Southern range.
According to the police, the protesters set fire to two motorcycles, and vandalised cars and a police vehicle.
A few policemen were also injured in the incident. The protesters have been demanding that the government hand over the plot of land in Tughlaqabad to the community and rebuild the temple. (PTI)