Tensions remained high in northeast Delhi on Tuesday, with shops and vehicles being torched and rioters running amok in several parts, especially Maujpur, Brahampuri and other adjoining areas.
The death toll in the violence, that took a communal colour and spread to the neighbouring areas on Monday, rose to eight, including the police head constable Rattan Lal. Organised groups had attacked each other.
Several journalists complained of “running for their lives” while reporting from the ground. Some of them also suffered injuries.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met with the victims at hospitals where they were being treated. “This madness must end immediately,” he tweeted. Earlier in the day, he also attended an all-party meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the security situation in the national capital. “Rising above party politics, it was decided to take all possible steps to restore peace,” he added.
Here are the live updates:
6:45 pm
Owaisi condemns Delhi violence, says it is complete failure of BJP-led Centre
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said there was complete failure on the part of the BJP-led government in handling the situation in violence-hit Delhi.
The Hyderabad MP also hit back at Minister of State for Home Kishan Reddy, who had accused him of trying to “instigate” violence, saying he should first go to Delhi and take steps to end the violence there.
In a tweet later, Mr. Owaisi alleged that police were colluding with mobs and said the Army should take over the violence-hit areas.
“He [Reddy] should first tell why violence happened. Violence happened under his nose. Why you are in Hyderabad… go to Delhi and control.
“How long will you eat sweets in my name. You have been made MoS Home. Go to Delhi and control the situation. There is complete failure on part of the BJP government and they are responsible for this,” he told mediapersons here.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Reddy alleged Mr. Owaisi was “irresponsibly” making remarks like violence would spread in the country if the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was not withdrawn.
“Owaisi has been trying to instigate violence by making such provocative speeches for the past many days. The Centre is firm and the CAA will not be withdrawn even if hundreds of Owaisis oppose it,” the Minister said.
Without naming Kapil Mishra, Mr. Owaisi said the violence was a result of “incitement by a former MLA and BJP leader” and it cannot be termed as communal riot.
“Whatever violence happened in Delhi yesterday and is happening today also it is State-sponsored violence. I believe that this whole thing cannot be called a communal riot. It started because of an ex-MLA of BJP stood shoulder to shoulder with a DCP and openly gave an ultimatum,” he said during his interaction with mediapersons.
“I am of the opinion and I firmly believe that the ex- MLA had tacit approval of his party. That is why he said that and that is the point this violence started. It has been done with planning. There are media reports that stones were brought kept at certain places,” Mr. Owaisi said without naming Mr. Mishra. – PTI
6.40 pm
Death toll due to violence rises to 10: Delhi police
The Delhi police on Tuesday said 10 people, including one policeman, have been killed in the violence in northeast Delhi and they are responding to incidents involving anti-social elements. Mandeep Randhawa, Delhi Police spokesperson said the situation in northeast Delhi is under control, even as several parts of the national capital continued to reel under violence.
Mr. Randhawa said 11 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence.
“We are responding to incidents involving anti-social elements. Sufficient force has been deployed in northeast Delhi. The RAF and CRPF has also been deployed,” he said.
Senior police officers are also monitoring the situation closely, he added. – PTI
6:30 pm
CPI(M) leader writes to Shah, blaming BJP’s Kapil Mishra for Delhi violence
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, blaming BJP’s Kapil Mishra for the violence in northeast Delhi and his open call to forcibly remove protesters from various sites.
The death toll in the violence over the amended citizenship law rose to nine on Tuesday, the GTB Hospital authorities said.
“The tragic death of a police constable and the deaths of six citizens in the shocking incidents of violence in the capital are of deep concern. We strongly condemn those responsible for the death of the police constable and for the violence in Delhi. The Delhi police and related agencies are under the control of your Ministry and therefore, we are addressing this letter to you,” Ms. Karat wrote to Mr. Shah and sought an appointment with the Home Minister.
She also said the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), led mainly by women, have been peaceful for the last two months, while adding that there were no instances of violence in Delhi “except those incidents of firing at the protesters by men who were incited to violence by a Minister in the Central government”. – PTI
6:20 pm
Do not fail this country, rise above partisan politics to restore peace: Congress to PM Modi and Kejriwal
Condemning the violence in Delhi, the Congress on Tuesday demanded that the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Chief Minister of Delhi come forward to ensure peace and maintain brotherhood while rising above partisan politics.
“This is Gandhi, Nehru, Patel’s India, can any Indian accept this mindless violence? Congress appeals to the people of Delhi to maintain communal harmony and thwart all attempts of the forces dividing the country on the basis of religion,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters.
Unabated violence and incidents of stone-pelting and murder in the national capital have shattered the nation, he said, while referring to the riots in northeast Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act that continued for the third day, and demanded stern action against the culprits.
“Our appeal to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Delhi Chief Minister is, can you rise to the occasion, leave aside your political partisanship and views, and become really not leaders of your parties but leaders of the society so that harmony, peace and non-violence prevail,” he said.
The Congress party will stand with the Centre and the Delhi government in every way to maintain brotherhood and harmony in the society, he said.
“Do not fail this country because you belong to different political parties,” Mr. Surjewala said, adding that this was a sincere appeal “on behalf of people of Delhi and the country” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“There is no place for violence in Gandhiji’s India… Today there is a need to establish peace on the ground and maintain brotherhood,” he said.
Mr. Surjewala said the party also prays for the speedy recovery of DCP Amit Sharma and the hundreds of other people who have been injured in the violence.
“We also condemn the firing at three journalists Arvind Gunasekar, Saurabh Shukla and Akash and pray for their good health,” he said.
“We strongly condemn these brutal riots and demand that the culprits be identified and stern action taken against the real culprits and miscreants. The Congress mourns the death of head constable Ratan Lal and others in the violence,” Mr. Surjewala said. – PTI
6:15 pm
Death toll due to violence climbs to nine
The death toll rose to nine on Tuesday in the violence over the amended citizenship law that has rocked northeast Delhi, GTB Hospital authorities said.
Four people were declared brought dead by doctors at the hospital on Tuesday, they said.
Thirty-five injured people were also brought to the hospital, the authorities added.
“Close to 50% of those injured sustained bullet injuries,” a doctor at the hospital said.
On Monday, the violence claimed the lives of five people, including Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal. – PTI
6:00 pm
Delhi HC to hear on Wednesday plea for FIR, arrest of persons involved in Delhi violence
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said it would hear on Wednesday a plea seeking the registration of FIRs and arrest of persons involved in the ongoing violence in northeast Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
The plea was mentioned before a Bench of Justices G.S. Sistani and A.J. Bhambhani for urgent hearing on Tuesday. However, the court said that it would be heard on Wednesday.
The petition filed by human rights activist Harsh Mander and activist Farah Naqvi sought setting up of an Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the incident and compensation for those killed and injured in the violence.
Advocate Sneha Mukherjee, while mentioning the plea, said they are also seeking action against certain individuals who were inciting people and making hate speeches due to which violence has erupted in various areas of northeast Delhi.
It has also sought directions to the Centre for the deployment of the Army to maintain law and order in the national capital and the areas where the “communal attack on people are most ferocious”. – PTI
Hindus, Muslims, policemen — none have escaped unhurt: Kejriwal
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who met the injured at two hospitals, took to Twitter to say, “…this madness must end.”
His deputy Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain meet those injured in the violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia meeting the injured at the GTB hospital | Picture Credit: Twitter
Rioters set fire to shops
Rioters set fire to a shop identified as belonging to a member of the Muslim community.
Efforts to douse the fire at a shop identified as belonging to a member of the Muslim community.
| Photo Credit: Saurabh Trivedi
Earlier, the Delhi Fire Services said they will attend calls in Gokalpuri and Brahampuri area only after police give assurances them of safety and security. Total 18 calls of fire were received till 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
4:45 pm
Last respects paid to head constable Rattan Lal
Last respects were paid to head constable Rattan Lal on Tuesday. Lal, 42, succumbed to head injuries after being hit by a stone in Gokulpuri.
Last respects being paid to Head Constable Ratan Lal on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
| Photo Credit: Sidharth Ravi
He had been trying to control the situation along with his contingent, when he was hit. He was a native of Sikar in Rajasthan and was posted in the office of ACP (Gokalpuri).
Journalists face a hard time reporting
Several journalists took to Twitter to describe the dangers they faced while reporting on the violence from the affected areas. While some of them were attacked, a few others were warned and forced to delete photos and videos from their mobile phones. Our correspondent Hemani Bhandari, who was reporting from Khajuri Khas junction, had a helmet thrown at her yesterday.
Gambhir hits out at fellow party leader Kapil Mishra
Condemning the violence, East Delhi BJP MP Gautam Gambhir told reporters, “Whoever, no matter which party he belongs to, whether he is Kapil Mishra or anyone else, who gave speeches to provoke people, action should be taken against them.”
Mishra is Gambhir’s fellow party leader who led a pro-CAA gathering in Jafrabad on Sunday, after which violence erupted.
Death toll rises to 8
The deceased have been identified as Head Constable Rattan Lal, Shahid Khan, Mohammed Furqaan, Nazim, Rahul Solanki, Vinod. The other two are unidentified as of now. All are residents of northeast Delhi.
Hemani Bhandari reports
‘All possible steps to restore peace’
“Rising above party politics, it was decided to take all possible steps to restore peace,” said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal after attending the meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the security situation in the national capital.
Terming it as a constructive discussion, Mr. Kejriwal said that the Home Minister has assured to provide adequate police for law and order maintenance. One policeman was killed in the violence while 26 others were admitted to two hospitals, he added.
Devesh Pandey reports
Violence continues
Incidents of stone pelting in Maujpur, Brahampuri and other adjoining areas were again reported on Tuesday. Police has deployed Rapid Action Force in areas that were severely hit due to riots.
According to Delhi Fire Services, three firemen were injured on Monday while attending to 45 calls from the violence-hit areas in northeast Delhi. While attending to the calls, a fire tender was pelted with stones and another was torched by protesters.
Saurabh Trivedi reports
Kejriwal, L-G Anil Baijal reach North Block to meet Amit Shah
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal reach North Block for a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the security situation in Delhi.
Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau chief Arvind Kumar and Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik are also present, along with BJP’s Manoj Tiwari, Subhash Chopra of Congress and several officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Devesh Pandey reports
11.30 am
Kejriwal appeals for calm, points out lack of adequate police deployment
I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and remain calm once again, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said during a press meet.
Mr. Kejriwal chaired an all-party MLAs meet to discuss the situation in northeast Delhi.
“Everyone who has been affected or the seven people who died were also from among us, were one of us. Today some people are being affected tomorrow others will be. Please shun violence,” he said.
A complaint that many MLAs have had is about lack of adequate police deployment, I will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah about the same at 12 noon, he added.
11.20 am
SC to hear plea by ex-CIC Wajahat Habibullah seeking lodging of FIR
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear an application filed by former Chief information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah and others seeking lodging of FIRs with regard to the recent violence in Delhi over the amended citizenship law.
The application was mentioned for urgent listing before a Bench of Justices S.K. Kaul and K. M. Joseph.
The Bench agreed to hear the matter on Wednesday.
In the application, Habibullah, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad and social activist Bahadur Abbas Naqvi have also sought direction to authorities to ensure safety of women sitting on protest against the CAA at Shaheen Bagh and other places in the national capital.
10.40 am
Amit Shah to meet Anil Baijal, Arvind Kejriwal
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called an urgent meeting with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and representatives of different political parties to discuss the prevailing situation in the National Capital. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 12 noon.
10.30 am
Death toll climbs to seven
The death toll in the northeast Delhi violence climbed to seven, a senior police official has said.
10.00 am
Kejriwal to meet all-party MLAs
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he is “very worried” about the prevailing situation in certain parts of Delhi and called an urgent meeting of all party MLAs of the violence-hit areas.
In a tweet, the chief minister also urged everyone to shun violence.
“Am v worried abt prevailing situation in certain parts of Del. All of us together shud make all efforts to restore peace in our city. I again urge everyone to shun violence (sic),” he tweeted.
“Am meeting all MLAs (of all parties) of affected areas along wid senior officials in a while,” Kejriwal added.
Sources said the meeting will take place at the chief minister’s residence at 10.30 am.
9.30 am
Five stations on Delhi Metro’s Pink Line remain shut
Pink Line Metro at Maujpur-Babarpur Station, in New Delhi. File photo
| Photo Credit:
Sandeep Saxena
Five stations on the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line remained closed for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in the wake of the violence in northeast Delhi areas.
“Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave and Shiv Vihar remain closed. Trains are being terminated at the Welcome Metro Station,” the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) tweeted.