Shoot-at-sight orders issued as Delhi violence claims 13 lives so far

A part of North-East Delhi is burning due to a violent clash between anti and pro CAA protesters with the Hindus and Muslims facing off on the streets, throwing petrol bombs and unleashing bloodbath.

Mobs armed with sticks and stones roamed parts of Delhi on Tuesday.

They have been attacking people, throwing stones, looting and burning buildings resulting in the injury of over 150 people including a child. All the injured are being treated now at a hospital.

Most of the people received gunshot injuries in Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar of northeast Delhi.

Although the police were outnumbered by the mob yet the Union Home Minister ruled out calling the army.

Meanwhile, the police have cleared the Jaffrabad metro station area where the tension escalated for the last two days.

However, they had to issue shoot-at-sight order in other parts of NorthEast Delhi to control the mob.

Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa told media that between 6,500 and 6,700 personnel had been deployed across violence-hit areas and a further 1,000 armed cops had also been deployed.

Section 144 has been imposed in several places since Monday night but that doesn't seem to stop people from forming large groups.

The Delhi Police has appealed to all citizens of Delhi to cooperate with them to maintain peace and harmony in the city.

They have also advised people to not lend ear to rumour mongers and unverified message being circulated in social media.

In view of the concerns raised by students and the Delhi government, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed board exams scheduled for Wednesday in parts of northeast Delhi.

Deferred exams include two in English Literature for Class X and three in Media and Web Applications for Class XII.

The Delhi government has also ordered all private and public schools to remain closed on Wednesday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was seen praying at Rajghat in the wake of the violence and urged people to maintain peace.

He also visited a few hospitals in Delhi to meet the injured people.

"I am appealing people to take the path of peace. Violence will not do any good to any person," Kejriwal told reporters.

After visiting the hospitals, Kejriwal tweeted: "Met with victims of violence being treated at the GTB Hospital and Max Hospital. Hindus, Muslims, policemen - none have escaped unhurt.. this madness must end immediately."

Journalists of several news organizations were reportedly attacked  during the clashes on Tuesday.

 

Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah earlier in the day chaired a meeting on the prevailing situation in Delhi.

The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal and the Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal were also present, along with senior officials and representatives of political parties.

Shah appreciated the participation of all parties and urged them to exercise restraint, rise above party lines to tackle the situation.

He said that the borders of Delhi with the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have been under surveillance for the last three days and Delhi Police has been taking adequate steps, like checks and other precautionary measures in view of the upcoming Supreme Court hearing relating to issues pertaining to Citizenship Law.

Shah said that additional forces may be deployed in affected areas, as per requirement. He urged political parties to avoid provocative speeches and statements which could flare up the situation.

The Home Minister noted that the professional assessment is that the violence in the capital has been spontaneous. He expressed confidence in Delhi Police and said that the force has shown maximum restraint to get the situation under control.

Delhi is witnessing massive violence for the last three days over the new citizenship law that was passed by the Centre late last year, which aims to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to India before 2015.

Earlier in the day,  US President Donald Trump, who is currently visiting India, said he discussed the issue of 'religious freedom' during his meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi earlier in the day.

However, he said the issue of violence in the national capital was not discussed.

"The PM said he wants people to have religious freedom. They have worked really hard on it," Trump said while addressing a press conference here.
"I heard about the individual attacks but I did not discuss it. It is up to India," he said.