Northeast Delhi residents angry with police response, judge’s transfer  

Among the many reasons for anger among the people in violence-hit north-east Delhi, the delayed response of the police figures prominently with many people questioning as to why the government took so long to stop it.

Many people also question the transfer of High Court judge S. Muralidhar, who was critical of the BJP leaders over their alleged hate remarks.

Justice Muralidhar, who was hearing a petition on Delhi violence on Wednesday, had sharply condemned both the government and police.

The Supreme Court collegium had on February 12 decided to transfer three judges, including Justice Muralidhar.

The order of transferring Justice Muralidhar was issued on Wednesday, the day a bench comprising him and Justice Talwant Singh directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to "take a conscious decision" by Thursday on registration of FIRs in respect of inflammatory speeches.

"The government is trying to change the course of investigation. The government is not willing for a fair probe as they want to save the people and mob involved in the arson," said a resident of Moonga Nagar, wishing not to be named.

Mohammad Ali, another resident of Moonga Nagar, told IANS: "If someone is working honestly, then why transfer him immediately? What kind of justice is this," Ali said.

Subrati, in his early 70s, also vented his anger on the media for showing AAP councilor Tahir Hussain as the main villain. "Who gave the mobs the tear gas shells? The shells are allotted only to the police. It is unclear how angry mobs got hold of the tear gas shells and fired at our homes" Subrati said.

Another resident of Khajuri Khas Abdul Sattar told IANS, "The government should have allowed the judge (Justice Muralidhar) to continue. He was transferred because he took a stand for the victims of violence."

Sattar, a resident of Khajuri Khas, has taken shelter at Moonga Nagar after his home and e-rickshaw were gutted in violence on Tuesday. Recalling the horror, he said, "I called up the police number many times, but no help came."

"We had to jump from off the second floor to save our lives," he said.

Another victim of violence, Aftab says his cycle repair shop, located near the Chandu Nagar, has been burned down.

The 3-km stretch from the Bhajanpura to Karawal Nagar is littered with bricks, stones, shattered glasses, torched vehicles, and razed houses on both sides of the road.

The violence in north-east Delhi started with clashes on Sunday between pro and anti-CAA activists, which took a violent turn in the next three days.