Communal clashes in east Delhi trigger tension

Prohibitory orders were clamped in Trilokpuri area in east Delhi as sporadic violence continued unabated for the third day on Saturday. Over 14 people, including 13 policemen, have been injured.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in Trilokpuri area in east Delhi as sporadic violence continued unabated for the third day on Saturday.

Policemen-patrol-a-road-in-Trilokpuri-New-Delhi-Mohd-Zakir-HT-Photo

Over 14 people, including 13 policemen, have been injured. Police said five of those injured sustained bullet injuries. Over 60 people have been arrested. Property worth crores has been damaged, with the mobs torching several shops and vehicles.

The police imposed Section 144 in the area on Saturday and personnel of the anti-riot Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed to quell the spiral of violence.

Though nobody was able to point a particular reason that triggered clashes between people of the two communities in block 27 on Thursday on the occasion of Diwali, police said the violence had engulfed major parts of the area, known as a resettlement colony.

After late night clashes on Friday, fresh stone pelting was reported from the area on Saturday morning.

"They threw stones, bottles and anything they could lay their hands on," said a resident of block 15. Police said some people threw bottles filled with acid used as toilet cleaners, injuring some RAF personnel.

Brick bats are seen at a road in Trilokpuri, a day after a clash between two groups. (PTI Photo)

By afternoon, the police and RAF jawans climbed atop the rooftops to ensure people do not launch attack from vantage points. The area is congested with narrow lanes and bylanes separating one block from the other.

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The police and RAF personnel took over almost all blocks and were marching the streets in anti-riot gear. Blocks 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 28 29 were the worst affected by violence, police said.

Police sources said since clashes broke out at regular intervals over three days since Thursday, the police could not concentrate their efforts on restoring peace at one place.

RAF men patrol in Trilokpuri. (PTI Photo)

“We have deployed forces on the building terraces, to avoid make sure that people are not hoarding stones. Check points and pickets have been erected at every nooks and cranny in the colony,” said a senior police officer.“We have the situation under control and are asking the people to maintain peace in the area,” said Ajay Kumar, DCP (East).

After the police controlled the violence that erupted on Thursday, stone pelting was again reported between groups from the two communities on Friday night. The police used mild force and fired tear gas shells to brought the situation under control.

Intelligence Bureau and other agencies are keeping a watch on the situation of the area. Senior police officials are camping in the area and additional force from neighbouring districts have also been deployed in the area.

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Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Arvinder Singh expressed serious concern over the clashes in Trilokpuri and appealed to the people to maintain peace.

The DPCC, in a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner, has asked him to immediately restore peace and order.

Chief spokesperson of the party Mukesh Sharma said that as the news of the clashes reached them, party leaders spoke to top police officials to get complete details of the clashes and appealed to the police to provide people security and protection.

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(With inputs from PTI)