In a communally charged atmosphere post the Ram Navami riots reported from parts of the country, Saturday evening witnessed clashes break out between two communities at Jahangirpuri, Delhi. The situation is under control and Delhi CM has requested all not to get swayed by social media forwards. Post the violence, police across all 14 districts were put on alert by the special branch and senior officers have been asked to be on the ground.
Police said that during the yatra, a heated argument broke out between two communities, following which they got into scuffle. “Things escalated and both communities started pelting stones at each other. They damaged public property and torched some vehicles,” a senior Delhi police officer said.
Clashes broke out between two communities in Northwest Delhi’s Jahangirpuri following a Shobha Yatra organised on Saturday. According to officers, stones were pelted in the area and the situation was tense. Several officers have been deployed in the area and the injured persons, including police officers, have been taken to the hospital.
Special CP (northern zone) Dependra Pathak said senior officers are present at the spot and are monitoring the situation.
Senior officers rushed to the spot and additional force was also called in, said police. “Police tried to control the crowd during which several personnel got injured. The injured persons were taken to a nearby hospital where they are recuperating,” an officer said.
According to police sources, seven persons were hurt in the stone-pelting and subsequent conflict, including six police officers and a citizen. Sub-Inspector Medhalal Meena of the Delhi Police is among the injured.
He was shot in the hand and the manner in which he was shot is unknown.
Ten persons have been arrested in connection with the stone-pelting and violence.
More suspects have been identified using CCTV footage and films posted on social media, according to police sources, and efforts are underway to apprehend them.
Rakesh Asthana, Delhi Police’s Special Commissioner of Police, Dependra Pathak, Special CP (northern zoen) have been spoken to by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has advised them to handle the situation with care. According to sources, a copy of the investigation report will also be provided to the Home Ministry.
