Juvenile offenders lodged in a Delhi government-run remand home in North Delhi's Majnu Ka Tila area today pelted stones and set blankets on fire agitating over 'poor' amenities in the observation centre, police and fire officials said.
"We received a call at around 4:00 am about the incident. The juveniles at the centre burnt blankets, pelted stones and created ruckus inside the facility. Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire," said a Delhi Fire service official.
According to eye-witnesses, the children of the remand home climbed the walls and pelted stones, they also broke some wooden furniture.
They shouted slogans against the warden saying that the food given to them is of very poor quality and the remand home lacked basic amenities. They also demanded reduction of their probation period.
"Cops did not enter the remand home. The juveniles lodged at the correctional facility had some issues regarding food and other facilities in it. They resorted to stone pelting and burnt a few things to lodge their protest. Situation is under control now," said a senior police officer.
The juveniles were not happy with the behaviour of the staff of the remand home. A few days ago, four-five juveniles were shifted to a special home, others also wanted to be shifted there.
It sparked a protest around 9pm yesterday, but the situation was controlled soon. Later the protest started again around 4am, the officer added.
Principal Magistrate of Juvenile Justice Board Geetanjali Goel reached the spot and took stock of the situation.
She also spoke to the juveniles and assured them that there demands will be looked at.
