BH CORRESPONDENT, New Delhi: A day after seven people – including Delhi Police head constable – were killed in violence in Northeast Delhi’s Jafrabad, Maujipur, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar and other areas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting on Tuesday to review the situation in the capital.
On Tuesday, the violence continued unabated despite Shah calling for peace. Two people died in the rioting on Tuesday, taking the toll to 13.
But the Centre ruled out calling the Army, saying that there were enough paramilitary and police on the ground to tackle the situation. Restrictions have also been imposed in the violence-torn areas that will remain in place for the next 30 days.
The meeting was attended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau Director Arvinda Kumar, Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, Congress leader Subhash Malhotra, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and party leader Rambir Bidhuri.
Kejriwal had earlier held an emergency meeting of MLAs and officials from the affected areas and appealed the protesters to maintain peace. “I appeal to all Delhiites to maintain peace. We are worried about the violence in Northeast Delhi. Several policemen and civilians were injured and some lost their lives. Several houses were set on fire and shops were damaged. It is very unfortunate,” he said while addressing a press conference after the meeting.
“The police personnel could not do anything because they were not getting orders from their seniors. I will raise this with (Home Minister) Amit Shah ji. They can’t decide whether there should be tear-gassing or lathi-charging without orders from above,” Mr Kejriwal told reporters today.
“The police constable who was killed and others who have been injured are all our people, they are the people of Delhi. This is not a good situation. Those whose homes and shops have been burnt down, they are part of someone’s family,” Mr Kejriwal said.
The Chief Minister said he called a meeting of all leaders including from other parties in the areas hit by violence. “They told me that outsiders are coming and trying to make the situation worse. The border of Delhi needs to be sealed for some time,” Mr Kejriwal said.
Earlier, on Tuesday morning clashes broke out again over Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAA). At least 100 people were injured in Monday’s violence in Northeast Delhi. More than 48 police personnel were injured and have been hospitalised.
In the incident, three firefighters also suffered injuries after a group of agitators set a fire engine ablaze and pelted stones at one another.
The violence began amid US President Donald Trump’s India visit. He arrived in Delhi, along with his wife Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, on Monday evening after attending the mega ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Ahmedabad. He is scheduled to spend the day in Delhi on Tuesday as part of his official trip.
The police has also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in the entire Northeast Delhi till March 24.
All government and private schools in Northeast Delhi are also closed on Tuesday.
