Scotland
Yard made multiple arrests in London on Sunday, after a crowd of thousands gathered
in central London in front of the Indian High Commission, protesting against
farm laws and supporting farmers demonstrating against agricultural reforms in India,
PTI reported.

Police
officers reportedly came down to monitor the ‘We stand with farmers of Punjab’
protest in Aldwych, warning of restrictions against the coronavirus and reminding
the crowd of protests consisting of more than 30 persons attracting fines and
arrests.

Also read: December 8 Bharat Bandh: Everything that you need to know

“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,” PTI quoted Met Police Commander Paul Brogden as saying.

News
agency ANI, meanwhile, tweeted out on Sunday, stating that London Police “in
full force” gave protection to the Indian High Commission in the face of “anti-India
slogans and some pro-farmer slogans”.

The
protests were largely made up of British Sikhs waving placards such as ‘Justice
for Farmers’, sloganeering and blocking roads.

Also read: Congress, CPI, DMK, RJD extend support for Bharat Bandh called by farmers on December 8

“Our
High Commission has been coordinating closely with the authorities concerned
and we will, together with them, address the issues that have come up – for
example how this gathering of thousands could take place without specific permission,”
an Indian High Commission spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Reportedly, the spokesperson alleged that the protests were led by ‘anti-India separatists’
who, taking advantage of the farm law protests, pursued their own ‘anti-India
agenda’.