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Northeast Delhi burns: 7 killed, nearly 100 injured in clashes

Northeast Delhi burns: 7 killed, nearly 100 injured in clashes

By Shalini Ojha
Feb 25, 2020
11:14 am
What's the story

For nearly 12 hours, Northeast Delhi witnessed high-scale violence on Monday, at a time when US President Donald Trump is in India with his family members and top officials of his administration. When Trump landed from Agra a little before 7:30 pm, the national capital was already on the edge. In the violence, seven people, including a head constable, died, and nearly 100 injured.

Beginning

A road was blocked due to CAA protest, uproar followed

The worst-affected area was Maujpur, which was witnessing turmoil since Saturday. Hundreds of women staged a sit-in protest against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and it continued till Sunday. On Sunday, BJP leader Kapil Mishra took out a rally supporting CAA and also gave a warning to Delhi Police to clear the area within three days. Soon, stones were pelted from both sides.

What happened

Rioter, identified as Shahrukh, fired bullets

Yesterday, a fresh wave of violence started around 11 am, took a communal turn, and both sides claim they didn't throw the first stone. Visuals showed a young man, wearing a red t-shirt, fired bullets at the cops. He was later identified as Shahrukh and was detained. Meanwhile, head constable Ratan Lal lost his life. And Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Shahdara, Amit Sharma, suffered injuries.

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Sharma is out of danger, underwent surgery yesterday

Details

Houses were vandalized, vehicles set on fire

At least three vehicles, stationed outside houses, were set on fire. A building that ensconced a shop on the ground floor was burnt and several houses were vandalized. Many people were injured. Earlier, anti-CAA protesters had brought roses for the supporters of the law, but as the day passed roses were replaced with wooden sticks, glass bottles, stones, and even bullets.

Tensions

Whatever forces did to contain violence had little impact

By 3 pm, additional forces were sent and a flag march conducted. Section 144 was imposed in the area too, but as it turned out, nothing changed on the ground. Later, a horrifying image emerged where a man was seen being thrashed by rioters. The photo was clicked by a Reuters journalist, and the victim wasn't traced till late last night.

Injuries

Four civilians, who died, had bullet injuries

According to Indian Express, by late evening messages like "We have to prepare ourselves to save our community, our rights and self-respect" emanated from Maujpur temple. Hours later, stone-pelting resumed in the area. Most of the injured were treated at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) hospital in Dilshad Garden. Four civilians who died had bullet injuries, confirmed doctors to Hindustan Times.

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Some cops were taken to Max Hospital

"Max Hospital, Patparganj received 6 policemen with injuries sustained in civic unrest in parts of Delhi. Four patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital, while two others have been discharged after treatment," said the hospital.

Schools

Schools were shut, exams canceled

Courtesy the violence, all internal examinations in government and private schools were canceled. The schools will remain shut on Tuesday. "I have talked to Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank regarding the board exams and have asked him to postpone them," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted. But CBSE spokesperson Rama Sharma clarified Northeast Delhi doesn't have any examination center for Tuesday's board exams.

Aftermath

Fire department received over 40 calls since yesterday

Since yesterday till 3 am today, the Delhi Fire Department received 45 calls, Fire Director for Northeast Delhi said. After urging the Ministry of Home Affairs to control the situation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who got a thumping majority this month, called a meeting of MLAs of violence-hit areas at his residence today. Home Minister Amit Shah also held a meeting.

Reactions

Violence is never the answer, said Rahul and Sonia

Last evening, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi released a statement condemning the violence. She told people there was no place for violence in the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Her son, Rahul, also took the same tone. "Peaceful protests are a sign of a healthy democracy, but violence can never be justified," he tweeted. However, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy posed questions to Congress.

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Reddy said Congress wants to defame the nation

"Congress Party and Rahul Gandhi should reveal who is behind this Delhi violence to defame India particularly when Donald Trump is on a visit to the country. We have brought all the necessary forces and Home Minister Amit Shah has given orders to Delhi Police," he said.

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High-level meetings didn't yield results, stones were pelted this morning