New Delhi
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 10.
Ten people have been killed and more than 135 injured in some of the worst sectarian violence in India’s capital in years, as rioters went on the rampage in several parts of the city.
Protests against a contentious citizenship law descended on Monday into running battles between Hindus and Muslims in New Delhi’s northeast, with rioters armed with stones, swords and even guns out in force.
Police imposed a restriction on large gatherings in the area — on the northeastern fringe of the megacity — as the violence continued Tuesday with reports of stone pelting and more structures set ablaze. 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.
Amid violence over the amended citizenship law, the district administration here has sealed three borders adjoining northeast Delhi and shut down bars and pubs in Ghaziabad, officials said on Tuesday. District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey told PTI that Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the district.
Officials said Laal Bagh, DLF embankment road of Loni and Tulsi Niketan borders of Sahibabad which are adjacent to northeast Delhi have been barricaded, adding people have been advised not to use these routes to travel to Delhi. All the liquor vends and bars will remain closed from 4 to 10 pm, whereas, all bars in hotels and pubs will be shut in the district, Pandey said.
