Delhi Violence LIVE Updates: Police Constable Killed in Clashes During CAA Protests; Central Forces Aidin…

MoS Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy warns that violence and arson would not be tolerated, and that he has ordered the Delhi police to act against the culprits. He  asks, “Congress, Rahul Gandhi, people behind anti-CAA protest and those supporting it should, tell who is behind this effort to malign India’s image?”

‘Who Will Take responsibility for This?’: G Kishan Reddy | G Kishan Reddy says that violence took place “to degrade India’s image in the world”. He further questions, “I want to ask the Congress and a few other political parties, who will take responsibility for this?”  He labels it as a conspiracy to malign India’s image. “It’s your right to go for peaceful protest but this is not the way. What kind of protest is this?”

Violence Orchestrated Ahead of Trump Visit: G Kishan Reddy | MoS Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy says that the violence in North East Delhi was orchestrated in view of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the national capital, and promised strict action against those reponsible for the violence.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy: Violence in North-East Delhi orchestrated with an eye on US President’s visit to India. I condemn it. Govt of India will never tolerate violence. We will take strict action against those responsible. MHA is monitoring the situation pic.twitter.com/0j3Fu5R0RB

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2020

Violence Can Never be Justified: Rahul Gandhi | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemns violence in Delhi in a tweet.

The violence today in Delhi is disturbing & must be unequivocally condemned. Peaceful protests are a sign of a healthy democracy, but violence can never be justified. I urge the citizens of Delhi to show restraint, compassion & understanding no matter what the provocation.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 24, 2020

In a tweet, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija, who operats the leader’s Twitter account criticises Trump’s visit to India as Delhi “burns”

“Hi Tea” & Namastey Trump while Delhi burns & 8 million Kashmiris remain deprived of fundamental rights. Gandhi ji’s legacy remembered only at perfunctory visits to Sabarmati ashram by foreign dignitaries. His values long forgotten

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 24, 2020

Police personnel have been stationed at areas where there is possibility of disturbance: Joint Police Commissioner (Eastern Range), Alok Kumar.

Joint Police Commissioner (Eastern Range), Alok Kumar on violence in North East Delhi: Police stationed at strategically located areas where there is potential of disturbance like Jafrabad, Seelampur, Maujpur, Gautampuri, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Mustafabad, Wazirabad, Shiv Vihar. pic.twitter.com/zMC1pE8qCg

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2020

The Delhi police is speaking to members of the Jamia Coordination Committee, who had earlier called for a march to the new police headquarters near Bangla Sahib at Jai Singh Road, sources said.

Situation Under Control: Home Secy | Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla says that senior officers have been deployed on the ground with sufficient forces. The situation is under control, he said.

The sources also said that it was a matter of investigation how 1,000 people gathered so soon. The sources further said that Central forces were aiding the Delhi police to control the situation. Senior officers have also been deployed on the ground, they said. “Things were tense around 3:30 pm, but are now under control,” they said.

According to government sources, DCP Shahdara Amit Sharma, who was injured during the clashes between two groups in North East Delhi, is now stable. The sources also said that the rider who was seen carrying a country-made weapon is being tracked down by the police. “In an hour’s time, the situation should be under control,” the source said. US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in the national capital this evening.

37 Police Personnel Injured | A total of 37 police personnel have been injured during the clashes in North East Delhi. Moreover, a FIR has been filed in connection with the incident at Hauz Rani yesterday.

Delhi Police in Touch with MHA: Sources | Sources from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) say that the Commissioner of Police Amulya Patnaik is in the control room. “Delhi police is constantly in touch with the MHA. This entire violence appears orchestrated with an eye on Trump visit.”

Pro-CAA Protesters Shout ‘Jai Shri Ram’ at Metro Stn | Pro-CAA protesters shout “Jai Shri Ram” at the Maujpur metro station, the entry and exit gates of which have been closed due to the clashes. The DMRC earlier said that entry and exit gates of five metro stations including Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave and Shiv Vihar will be shut.

Delhi Deputy-CM Manish Sisodia calls for peace, condemning the violence in North East Delhi.

सभी दिल्लीवासियों से अपील है कि शांति बनाए रखें. हिंसा में सबका नुक़सान है. हिंसा की आग सबको ऐसा नुक़सान पहुँचाती है जिसकी भरपाई कभी नहीं हो पाती.

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) February 24, 2020

Gates of 5 Metro Stations Shut | Entry & exit gates of Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave and Shiv Vihar metro stations are closed, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said. Trains will terminate at Welcome metro station, it added.

Security Update

Entry & exit gates of Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave and Shiv Vihar are closed. Trains will terminate at Welcome metro station.

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) February 24, 2020

Protestors vandalize a car during a clash between a group of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protestors and supporters of the new citizenship act, at Maujpur crossing, in northeast Delhi. (PTI)

BJP MP Gautam Gambhir condoles the death of police constable Ratan Lal and says, “there is no scope for violence in democratic protests”.

Extremely sad to hear about the death of Senior Police Constable Shri Ratan Lal during violent anti CAA protests.There is no scope for violence in democratic protests. I request everyone to maintain peace and urge @DelhiPolice to take strict action against the culprits. pic.twitter.com/1PobrXWKka

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) February 24, 2020

“Saddened by the violence in North East Delhi’s Karawal Nagar, Yamuna Nagar, and Jafarabad,” says BJP leader Vijay Goel.

उत्तर पूर्वी दिल्ली के करावल नगर, यमुना विहार और जाफराबाद इलाके में हुई हिंसा से बहुत दुःख पंहुचा। सभी लोगों से निवेदन है कि शान्ति बनाए रखें और अफवाहों से बचें।

— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) February 24, 2020

Delhi CM Condoles Constable’s Death | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal condoles the death of the police constable, further appealing to people to give up violence.

पुलिस हेड कोंस्टेबल की मौत बेहद दुःखदायी है। वो भी हम सब में से एक थे।

कृपया हिंसा त्याग दीजिए। इस से किसी का फ़ायदा नहीं। शांति से ही सभी समस्याओं का हल निकलेगा

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 24, 2020

Kejriwal Speaks to Delhi L-G | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal speaks to Delhi Lieutenant-General Anil Baijal, who he says, has assured him of sending police force to the area.

मैंने अभी LG साहिब से बात की। उन्होंने भरोसा दिलाया कि और पुलिस फ़ोर्स भेजी जा रही है। किसी के भी द्वारा हिंसा बर्दाश्त नहीं की जाएगी। मेरी सभी लोगों से विनती है कि कृपया शांति बनाए रखें। हिंसा से कोई समाधान नहीं निकलेगा। https://t.co/d3biQqr13X

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 24, 2020

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi holds responsible an ex-MLA and BJP leader for inciting people and the subsequent violence, and calls for the leader’s arrest.

These riots were a result of incitement by an ex MLA & BJP leader. Now there is clear evidence of police involvement

The ex-MLA should be arrested immediately, urgent steps should be taken to control the violence. Otherwise, it’ll spread https://t.co/numkSduOiZ

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 24, 2020

Petrol Pump Set Ablaze | A petrol pump has been set on fire in North East Delhi’s Bhajanpura, where violence broke out between two groups. Earlier, two houses were also torched as a result of the violence.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury appeals for peace, holding the Union government responsible for not making any attempts to “address grievances of a large section of Indians”.

There is utmost need to maintain peace and calm. We appeal to everyone to not fall prey to rumours or incitements – Peace must be kept. The responsibility however, lies with the Union govt which has not made any attempt to address grievances of a large section of Indians. #Delhi

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 24, 2020

Shah Failed to Maintain Law & Order in Delhi: Cong | The Congress, reacting to the violence in North East Delhi, says, “Delhi Police, under Home Ministry, has completely failed to control law and order. BJP leaders have been openly giving hate speeches and threats but no action is being taken.” The Congress alleged that the speeches made by its leader Kapil Mishra are in complicity with the senior leaders. “Such comments can only be made with complicity of senior party leaders and the police.” tweeted INC, the official Twitter handle of the the Congress.

Delhi Police Appeals for Peace in Statement | In a statement, the Delhi Police said that incidents of violence were reported in North East Delhi, in areas of Maujpur, Kardampuri, Chand Bagh and Dayalpur. Police further said, “It is appealed to the people of Delhi and particularly to the North East District to maintain peace and harmony and not to believe in any false rumors. It is also appealed to the media not to circulate any disturbing pictures which  may further aggravate the situation. Delhi Police is making every effort to restore normalcy. Sec 144 has been imposed in the affected areas of  North East district and  strict action will be taken against miscreants and anti social elements.”

Reportedly, some miscreants tried torching a petrol pump in North East Delhi, but failed to. Two houses were torched during the clashes, while one constable died and a DCP was injured during the clashes.

Delhi L-G Urges Commissioner to Restore Law & Order | Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal instructed the police commissioner to maintain law and order in the national capital in the wake of violence during clashes in northeast Delhi.  “Instructed @DelhiPolice and @CPDelhi to ensure that law and order is maintained in North East Delhi. The situation is being closely monitored. I urge everyone to exercise restraint for maintenance of peace and harmony,” Baijal tweeted. 

DCP Hospitalised | DCP Shahdara Amit Sharma, who was injured during the clashes, has been hospitalised. According to an official, Sharma suffered injuries to his head and hand. He was hospitalised and is doing fine, the official added. A constable earlier died due to injuries to the head amid stone-pelting during clashes between the pro-CAA and anti-CAA groups.

Gopal Rai Urges for Peace | Delhi minister and Babarpur MLA Gopal Rai urges people to maintain peace in the wake of clashes over the new citizenship law, saying some people were purposely trying to disturb the atmosphere. Rai said that he had spoken to Delhi LG Anil Baijal and was assured that more police personnel would be deployed to bring the situation under control. “With folded hands, I request people in Babarpur Assembly to maintain peace. Some people are purposely trying to spoil the atmosphere. I have spoken to Delhi LG and he has assured me that more policemen will be deployed to bring the situation under control,” Rai said in a tweet.