Delhi violence: Death toll mounts to 13
New Delhi: The death toll in the wave of violence that broke out and spread in areas of Northeast Delhi rose to 13 on Tuesday, with more than 150 reported injured. Authorities at Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, where several injured persons were brought in throughout the day, confirmed the number of casualties.
All private and government schools in Northeast Delhi will remain closed on Wednesday and CBSE board exams scheduled in centres in the these areas postponed.
The CBSE said it took the decision “based on the request of the Directorate of Education and the government of Delhi and to avoid inconvenience to students, staff and parents”.
The violence flared up on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump held discussions on several issues, including trade, defence and other deals.
On Monday, a Delhi Police constable and three civilians had died in the clashes that broke out between groups supporting and protesting against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
As violence continued on Tuesday, the Union Home Ministry drafted in IPS officer SN Srivastava as the new Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Law and Order), repatriating him from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to take control of the situation in the national capital. He later attended a security review meeting called at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence.
Earlier in the evening, the Delhi Police said they are responding to incidents involving anti-social elements and 11 FIRs have been filed against those involved in the violence.
Delhi Police spokesperson Mandeep Randhawa said the situation in Northeast Delhi is under control even as several parts of the national capital continued to reel under violence.
“We are responding to incidents involving anti-social elements. Sufficient force has been deployed in northeast Delhi. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has also been deployed,” he said, adding that senior police officers are monitoring the situation closely.
The police conducted flag march in northeast Delhi’s Bhajanpura and Khajuri Khas after the areas witnessed arson and stone pelting.
Special Commissioners of Police Satish Golcha and Praveer Ranjan led the flag march.
“We are taking appropriate actions. The required force is being used. Tear gas and mild lathicharge has been used to control the crowd. We will detain the miscreants and appropriate action will be taken against them,” said Golcha.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to all private satellite television channels asking them to be cautious about content that may incite violence or promote “anti-national” attitudes.
“It is hereby reiterated that all TV channels are advised to be particularly cautious with regard to any content which is likely to encourage or incite violence, or contains anything against the maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti-national attitudes,” said the advisory.
Violence continues unabated
Several incidents of violence were reported from Maujpur area of northeast Delhi, with two groups of people out on the road armed with rods and sticks.
An angry mob raising incendiary slogans set ablaze a motorcycle in Maujpur. A fire brigade was also seen rushing to the spot.
Security personnel tried to disperse the groups from both sides who were armed with rods and sticks. They also resorted to stone-pelting. However, the crowd outnumbered the security personnel deployed in the area.
Media personnel covering the incidents were also targeted. They were abused, heckled and driven away from the spot.
The stretch between the Jafrabad and Maujpur-Babarpur metro stations were filled with stones and burnt vehicles. The injured were rushed to hospitals in police vans to local hospital. Fire brigades were also seen rushing to the spot. Security personnel tried to disperse the people from both sides and fired tear gas.
On Tuesday evening, women protesting against the CAA outside the Jaffrabad metro station vacated the road.
(With inputs from agencies)
