Orchestrated attacks, arson in northeast Delhi; a cop and civilian dead

In what seemed to be an orchestrated violence similar to the 2002 Gujarat riots, north-east Delhi witnessed attacks that reportedly left two people — a policeman and a civilian — dead. The violence comes hours ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the national Capital and at a time when most of the media is focused on Trump’s visit.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the attackers came along with Delhi Police personnel from Maujpur to Chand Bagh to set afire to goods and food stuff owned by Muslims.

The goons initially upturned the fruit cart of an old woman and set it on fire before smashing the windowpanes and vandalising other shops in the area. Several vehicles were set on fire and a petrol pump was set ablaze in Bhajanpura area.

Protesters entered the residence of AAP's Nehru Vihar corporator Mohammed Tahir Hussain and vandalised his residence. According to sources, Tahir Hussain was at home with his family when the incident occurred.

Several people who were identified as Muslims were beaten by the mob.

Even as late as 7 PM, the goons were pelting stones and breaking shutters of certain shops in Maujpura. All the while they were shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bharat ma ki hai’ slogans.

Interestingly, police officials could not be spotted at Maujpur and Ghonda areas where thugs destroyed shops.

Speaking to crowds near Maujpur, local leaders underscored that they were standing up for their nation. Saffron flags with ‘Om’ were being waved more than the Indian flag by tilak-wearing men.

In contrast, the protestors at Jaffarabad were more peaceful with only the Indian flags fluttering.

The area has been under stress for the last few days. On Saturday night, women protestors decided to block a portion of the road in support of the Bharat Bandh called by Bhim Army Chandrasekhar Azad.
The violence comes a day after a clash broke out in Maujpur between the two groups near the Jaffarabad Metro Station, where one side of the carriageway had been blocked by anti-CAA protesters.

After slogan shouting from both sides, the groups started pelting stones at each other.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the people to shun violence. Expressing his grief over the death of Ratan Lal, the police head constable, the CM tweeted: "The death of the police head constable is very sad. He was also one of us. Please renounce violence. Nobody benefits from this. All problems will be solved by peace."

In an earlier tweet, Kejriwal had urged Home Minister Amit Shah and Lt. Governor Anil Baijal to "restore law and order" as tension continued in the area over Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

"Very distressing news regarding disturbance of peace and harmony in parts of Delhi coming in. I sincerely urge Hon'ble LG n Hon'ble Union Home Minister to restore law and order and ensure that peace and harmony is maintained," Kejriwal said on Twitter.

LG Anil Baijal too took to Twitter and his official handle posted: Instructed @DelhiPolice and @CPDelhi to ensure that law and order is maintained in North East Delhi. The situation is being closely monitored. I urge everyone to exercise restraint for maintenance of peace and harmony.