The injured were rushed to the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital and the Delhi Police said the situation is now under control.
New Delhi: A clash broke out between members of two communities after a procession taken out to mark Mahavir Jayanti was allegedly pelted with stones at Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area on Saturday evening. The clash left several people injured, including six policemen.
The injured were rushed to the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital and the Delhi Police said the situation is now under control. Taking to Twitter, the Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana wrote, “In today’s incident in NW District, the situation is under control. Adequate additional force has been deployed in Jahangirpuri & other sensitive areas. Senior officers have been asked to remain in field and closely supervise the law & order situation & undertake patrolling.”
He added, “Strict action will be taken against rioters. Citizens are requested to not to pay heed to rumours and fake news on social media.”
Earlier, in February 2020, communal riots had broken out in northeast Delhi as protests against and in favour of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) took a violent turn.
According to reports, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Asthana and Delhi Police’s Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Dependra Pathak. Shah directed the police to take necessary action in wake of the violence and handle the matter “sensitively”.
Moments after the Delhi’s incident, the police in the neighbouring were alerted and elaborate security arrangements were made to avoid any untoward incident.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also appealed to the people to calm down and said, “The incident of stone pelting in the procession in Jahangir Puri, Delhi is highly condemnable. Strict action should be taken against those who are guilty. Appeal to all people- Keep peace by holding each other’s hand.”
In a separate tweet, Kejriwal said, “Spoke to Hon’ble LG. He assured that all steps are being taken to ensure peace and that guilty will not be spared.”
The violence broke out on a day on a day when 13 Opposition parties, in a joint statement, urged the people to maintain peace and harmony, and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for keeping silent despite the prevailing atmosphere in the country.
It also came just days after there were widespread violence in several parts of the country on Ram Navami.