Gurugram: Over 200 Protesters Demanding Ahir Regiment In Army Detained After Clash With Police

People from both sides were hurt in the clash between police and protesters, according to police, who added that some of them are still on the spot.

Activists Of Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha Protest At Jantar Mantar, Demand Of Ahir Regiment (File Photo)

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Over 200 people were detained and several were injured on Friday in a clash between police and protesters seeking the establishment of an Ahir regiment in the army. Hundreds of demonstrators arrived at the spot at about 10.30 a.m. and attempted to obstruct the Delhi-Jaipur highway, the officials stated, news agency PTI reported. 

Officials stated that as police began holding them, some of them began pelting stones.

People from both sides were hurt in the clash between police and protesters, according to police, who added that some of them are still on the spot.

“The protesters wanted to block the highway and we detained them. We are telling them that if they want to protest, they can do so but it won't be allowed on the highway,” PTI quoted Assistant Commissioner of Police (Manesar) Suresh Kumar as saying. 

The police are present at the spot and the situation is under control, the ACP said.

According to the police, the detained protestors were transported to several police stations in more than 10 buses across Haryana highways.

The Gurugram traffic police issued an alert on Thursday after protestors scheduled a rally near the Kherki Daula toll. To redirect traffic, a substantial police force was dispatched.

To prevent traffic congestion, traffic officers advised commuters to choose other routes. Commuters travelling from Jaipur to Delhi may take a diversion from Pachgaon Chowk and follow the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) highway to Delhi and other destinations, according to their advisory.

Earlier, in March, the Ahir community protest halted traffic on a six-kilometer section of the Delhi-Gurgaon highway. Since February 4, protestors have been camping outside the Kherki Daula toll plaza, demanding an Ahir regiment in the Indian Army.

The demonstrators contend that the Indian Army had a number of caste-based regiments, and as Ahirs were well-represented in the army, they want an equivalently-structured distinct regiment for Ahirs.

(With Inputs From PTI)