At least seven people including civilians and police personnel have died while several have been reported with grave injuries in Delhi as the national capital has been witnessing unprecedented arson and riots that have been orchestrated from the agitations which are getting intensified over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Northeastern parts of Delhi have been currently burning against the act and the riots have been in accelerating trajectory at the high time when US President Donald Trump and First Lady of the United States Melania Trump have currently been hosted in Delhi.
The reports say that the demonstrations against the CAA, that was rolled out on Sunday, had spurred to high tensions and riots after BJP leader Kapil Mishra had aired the instigating statements asking the pro-CAA supporters to assemble at the Jaffrabad to remove the anti-CAA protesters. In his statement, he further urged the police forces to clean the roads of Delhi by removing the protesters and alleged that, if police fail to remove, he would vacate them from the streets. He claimed that the protesters want to create trouble in Delhi. On the evening hours of Sunday, the demonstrations had turned into riots after the pro and anti CAA groups clashed each other by pelting the stones.
On Monday, the riots hit its second straight day and the clashes fiercely enhanced further between the groups and Delhi police personnel had fired tear gas and unleashed lathi-charge to bring the situation under control and to disperse the protesters. The areas like Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Chandbagh, Bhajanpura, and Khureji Khas have been going through the intense riots. The violence on Monday had claimed the life of Ratan Lal (42) who was the head constable at the Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police Gokulpuri and the reports stated that he has died after he was attacked by stone pelters.
The Delhi government has issued the conformity that three civilians have died but the on-ground reports say that the death toll of civilians has raised to six while more than 70 people have been injured. On Monday, apart from stone-pelting, one of the anti-CAA protesters who was identified as Sharukh had opened the fire using the country-made pistol and he reportedly fired eight rounds following which the police had overpowered him. All the shops around the rioting areas have been shut. However, the agitators had vandalized them and the Reuters reporter shared the photographs of a Muslim man who was gravely attacked by the pro-CAA forces. The members had hit his head with the sharp object leaving to cover his face with blood.
The Reuters reporter had shared the video through Twitter in which the policeman can be heard inciting the pro-CAA mob to go ahead and throw the stones. The reporter further stated that "For several hours, outnumbered cops mostly stood beside those backing the citizenship law, and did little to quell the violence".
There was some coordination, too.
— Devjyot Ghoshal (@DevjyotGhoshal) February 24, 2020
“Go ahead and throw stones,” one policeman shouted to protesters backing the law, during one of the running battles.
Why there weren't more cops immediately deployed is a little puzzling. pic.twitter.com/lxgc8446EH
On Tuesday, while the riots have been gearing up, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had convened the urgent meeting with the MLAs and officials of the areas facing the violence and he also demanded the Central government to restore law and order in the capital. While addressing the reporters on Monday, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that the situation in Delhi was under control and the adequate number of forces have been deployed to the violence-hit regions.
The reports stated that about 100 companies of Central armed police were dispatched on the ground to enhance the security along with the Delhi police. The government has imposed section 144 in ten areas that were affected by the violence in Delhi. Earlier on Tuesday, before tabling the meet with MLAs, Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that "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". The recent reports say that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been holding the urgent meet in Delhi with the high-level officials to discuss about Delhi violence. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor were also present.
Also read: CAA stir: Delhi constable was killed while dozens injured - Here's the update!
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