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Catch all the live updates on the northeast Delhi violence here.
Delhi court on Monday, 2 March, deferred CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat's complaint seeking FIRs against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma till 23 April. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agreed to hear on 4 March a plea filed by some victims.
Forty-seven people have been killed and over 200 injured because of the violence in northeast parts of Delhi, reported ANI on Monday.
Clearing rumours about fresh tensions in various parts of the city, Delhi Police on Sunday, urged citizens to not believe in false reports and warned that strict action will be taken against rumour-mongers.
On Saturday, the Central Board of Secondary Education said that the CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams will be held as scheduled from 2 March onwards in northeast parts of Delhi too.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “We are announcing a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of Intelligence Bureau official Ankit Sharma and a member of their family will be given a job by the Delhi government.”
Death toll in Delhi violence has increased to 47 (38 at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, three at Lok Nayak Hospital, one at Jag Parvesh Chander Hospital and five at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital), reported ANI.
CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat has written to acting city Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava demanding that names of those arrested in connection with the Delhi violence be made public, reported PTI.
In Delhi, Congress Youth workers protest demanding resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah over the violence that took place last week, reported ANI.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “We are sad and depressed, and condemn the incident that happened in Delhi. I think it's a planned genocide.”
“In Delhi, BJP leaders who gave provocative slogans have not been arrested, but I got three of the BJP workers arrested (on charges of raising 'desh ke gaddaron ko...’ slogans in Kolkata) last night,” she added, reported ANI.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) stated that Class 12 Physics, Applied Physics along with Class 10 Music exam is being conducted smoothly at all centres across Delhi, including those in the northeast part of Delhi.
"There were 2,888 candidates registered for class 10 and 12 examination in north-east part of Delhi. Out of which, 2,837 candidates are present with 51 absentees," it stated.
They pointed out that today, 98.2% attendance in the centres in northeastern parts of Delhi.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today for almost an hour and they are likely to have discussed the violence in the national capital.
“I met PM Modi,” said Baijal after the meeting but did not reveal what was discussed.The two are likely to have discussed the violence in the city, reported PTI quoting sources.
One person arrested today by Delhi Police from Rohini on charges of rumor-mongering yesterday. More details awaited, reported ANI.
Border Security Force (BSF) constable Mohammad Anees, whose house was set on fire during Delhi violence, was presented a cheque of Rs. 10 lakhs by Inspector General of BSF DK Upadhyay today for immediate aid. BSF is also conducting repair work of his burnt house, reported ANI.
A Delhi court has directed the police to submit a report on the measures taken by them in compliance with the previous orders on relief camps.
Rahul Mehra, a standing counsel of the Delhi government, specifically told court it needed to consider orders for relief camps, emergency services, medical treatment, etc.
The court had passed a detailed order on Wednesday appointing an amicus, directing more help desks to be set up, getting night magistrates designated, plus requisitioning counselling.
The matter is adjourned till 30 April. This case was also being heard by Justice Muralidhar when he had called for a midnight hearing on the Delhi violence last week.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Wednesday, 4 March plea by riot victims. They have referred to a plea by Harsh Mander seeking immediate registration of FIRs against Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur.
CJI Bobde remarked that the court also wishes for peace but it is also aware of its limitations. “We can't prevent things from happening. We come in the scene only after occurrences. And then we pass appropriate orders.”
A Delhi Court deferred till 23 April the order on a complaint seeking registration of FIR against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma. The complaint was filed by CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat against the two BJP leaders for their alleged hate speeches during the Delhi assembly polls, reported ANI.
Activist Harsh Mander has moved the Supreme Court against Delhi High Court order, seeking immediate registration of FIRs against BJP Leaders Anurag Thakur and Kapil Mishra for their alleged hate speeches, reported Live Law.
Dr. Meenakshi Bharadwaj, Medical Superintendent at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital said, “Four bodies were brought to our hospital yesterday evening. Autopsy to be conducted today,” reported ANI.
Death toll has risen to 46 now — 38 at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, three at Lok Nayak Hospital, one at Jag Parvesh Chander Hospital and four at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital) in Northeast Delhi violence.
Delhi Chief Minister said that he was working to ensure that relief efforts reach those affected by violence in northeast Delhi. "Use #DelhiRelief to reach us," Kejriwal added in his tweet.
The Delhi Police has registered 254 FIRs and arrested or detained 903 persons in connection with the northeast Delhi violence, a senior officer said on Sunday. Forty-one of the cases were registered under the Arms Act, they said.
According to police, they did not receive any PCR calls of rioting in the last four days. The situation in the riot-affected areas is under control, a senior police official said.
Clearing rumours around fresh tensions in various parts of the city, Delhi Police urged citizens to not believe in false reports.
“Some people have been detained for rumour-mongering and cases are being registered against them. Strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours and hate speech,” Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa told ANI.
After reports of tensions in Delhi's Rajouri Garden area surfaced on the internet, Police source while have told The Quint that these are all baseless rumours and situation is under control.
DCP West Delhi took to twitter to claim that there is no truth to the reports suggesting that there is some tension in Khyala-Raghubir Nagar area of West District.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the AAP government is putting best efforts to provide relief to the people affected by communal riots in northeast Delhi, reports PTI.
Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said he is personally trying to ensure that relief reaches each person in need, asserting that the government wants people to return to their homes and be welcomed by their neighbours.
Scores of women who were holding a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on the Jiwangarh bypass road here for the past six days vacated the site in the presence of top district officials.
Barricades which were put up on the road in view of the protest were removed on Saturday night and traffic resumed, bringing relief to commuters, reports PTI.
Human rights activists on 1 March, Sunday wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner demanding that the names and addresses of those arrested in connection with the violence in the national capital be publicised as mandated by the law. In a letter, signed by activists Anjali Bharadwaj, co-convenor of the National Campaign for People's Right to Information, advocate Prashant Bhushan, CPI leader Annie Raja, Amrita Johri among others, said Section 41-C of the CrPC mandatorily requires that a police control room be established in all districts and section 41-C(2) demands that the names and addresses of all persons arrested be displayed on the notice board outside the control room.
CBSE has announced that rescheduled examination dates for examinations in violence-affected northeast Delhi will be announced later for the students will not be able to appear for the same till 7 March. Principals of schools have been requested to provide a list of such students. CBSE examinations for class 10 and 12 for northeast Delhi will be held 2 March onwards as per schedule for students who would be able to appear for them.
Delhi Police officials have confirmed that three bodies have been recovered on 1 March, Sunday in the ongoing recovery efforts for the violence in northeast Delhi. Out of the three bodies, one has been recovered from a canal in Gokalpuri and two from Bhagirathi Vihar, reports news agency ANI.
More than 200 members of the Indian diaspora and the student community gathered in London on 29 February 2020, to protest against the violence in Delhi in which at least 40 people have lost their lives.
The protestors braved snow and rain to take part in the demonstration. Simultaneously, about 15 other European cities also called for a similar protest amongst the Indian diaspora and student community.
These cities include Geneva, Glasgow, Grenoble, Hague, Hamburg, Krakow, Munich, Pisa, Helsinki, Cologne, Brussels, Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm and Dublin.
The London protest was called by the South Asia Solidarity Group, the SOAS India Society, the South Asian Students Against Fascism (UK), the Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO) and the Co-ordinating Committee of Malayali Muslims.
Heavy police deployment took place in Shaheen Bagh as a precautionary measure on Sunday, 1 March, even as right-wing group Hindu Sena took back their call to "clear the protest site", on Saturday, 29 February.
Joint Commissioner DC Srivastava at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh told ANI, “As a precautionary measure, there is heavy police deployment. Our aim is to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident from occurring.”
In a statement on Saturday, the Hindu Sena said that police pressured them to call off their peaceful protest on Sunday. It also claimed that their national president Vishnu Gupta had been "illegally detained" by the police.
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari expressed "deep sorrow" on Saturday over the loss of lives in the communal violence in northeastern parts of the city and claimed the police "failed" to gauge the magnitude of the situation in time.
He accused non-BJP parties of playing a "negative" role in light of protests against the amended Citizenship Act, that "snowballed into violence" in Delhi.
The Delhi Police has registered 167 FIRs and arrested or detained 885 people in connection with the northeast Delhi violence, officials said on Saturday, adding that no PCR calls of violence were received on Saturday.
Thirty-six of the cases were registered under the Arms Act, they said.
The police have lodged 13 cases for provocative social media posts on various sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, PTI reported.
Several social media accounts and web links involved in circulation of unlawful, offensive content have been suspended through the platforms concerned.
The National Human Rights Commission has deputed a fact-finding team to investigate the cases of communal violence in northeast Delhi, an official said on Saturday.
The Central Board of Secondary Education on Saturday said that the CBSE class 10 and 12 exams will be held as scheduled from 2 March onwards in northeast parts of Delhi too.
“The board has filed an affidavit in Delhi High Court and the court has directed Delhi Police and Delhi government to ensure safety of students and render all help to conduct exams in these areas,” CBSE PRO Rama Sharma.
Addressing the media, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal claimed that no incident of violence has been reported from any part of Delhi on Saturday.
“We held a review meeting today with the senior officials of all the concerned departments… Our first priority is to restore normalcy at the earliest,” he said.
“Four sub-divisions got affected during the violence and there are about 18 SDMs in these sub-divisions. All of them have inspected their respective areas and they are identifying the houses/shops that got damaged during the violence,” the CM added.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain visited the GTB Hospital on Saturday to meet those who have been injured due to the violence in northeast Delhi.
“Forty five patients are still admitted here. Everyone is stable now. Compensation is being provided to the victims, as announced by Delhi government. Strict action must be taken against the guilty,” he said.
Schools will remain closed in northeast Delhi till 7 March in view of the violence, officials were quoted by PTI as saying on Saturday.
The situation is not conducive for conducting examinations in the violence-affected areas, the officials said.
“All government, government-aided and private recognised schools of northeast district will remain closed for students till 7 March 2020. New dates of annual exams for schools in the district will be announced shortly,” the Directorate of Education under the Delhi government said.
Six people were detained after chants of “desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maaro sa**** ko” (shoot the traitors) were heard inside Delhi’s Rajiv Chowk mentro station on Saturday, 29 February morning.
A viral video is being circulated on social media in which people can be heard raising such chants at the metro station.
BJP MP Parvesh Verma, who is accused of making hate speeches, on Saturday said he would give his one-month salary each to the families of the policeman and Intelligence Bureau employee who were killed in the communal violence in northeast Delhi.
"I dedicate my salary of one month each as member of Parliament to the families of Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal and IB officer Ankit Sharma, killed while doing their duty, in the unfortunate violence in Delhi," Verma, who represents West Delhi in the Lok Sabha, tweeted.
The situation is far from normal and an environment of fear is still prevailing in Delhi, the Congress party said on Saturday, after 42 people people died in the violence, PTI reported.
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma also claimed that a "one-sided" investigation is taking place. "We have no expectations from Centre or Delhi CM but we have hopes from the courts," he told reporters.
The Delhi government is considering to launch a WhatsApp number on which people can complain about hate messages being circulated on the instant messaging app, PTI reported quoting sources.
Former CJI KG Balakrishnan on Saturday, 29 February, said that the government should have been a "little careful" while issuing "midnight" order transferring Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar to Punjab and Haryana High Court, PTI reported.
Mobile internet services have been restored in Aligarh as per the order of District magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh. It was suspended to maintain law and order situation in the area, reported ANI.
A delegation of journalists representing the Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps and the Press Association have met Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, calling for his intervention against mediapersons being targeted while covering violence in northeast Delhi, PTI reported.
The delegation met Javadekar on Thursday and submitted a memorandum, urging the government, particularly the I&B Ministry and the Home Ministry, to direct the police to uphold democratic values and sensibilities.
The delegation, in its memorandum, highlighted the alleged rough treatment of the police in the recent rioting in northeast Delhi where journalists were shot at, heckled and even attacked with batons and rods, a statement by the delegation said.
Several thousand Muslims marched from the main mosque in Bangladesh's capital on Friday to denounce India's government for allegedly inflaming tensions between Hindus and Muslims, PTI reported.
After Friday prayers, thousands of Muslims left the Baitul Mokarram Mosque in Dhaka and joined the rally, chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The protesters demanded that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cancel a plan to invite Modi to a commemoration next month of the 100th anniversary of the birth of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The government schools which were closed in view of violence in northeast Delhi and parts of east Delhi will open on Saturday for principals and staff to assess the current situation, officials of the Directorate of Education (DoE) said on Friday, according to PTI.
The schools were earlier announced to be closed till 29 February.
"The schools will open tomorrow for heads and all staff. A meeting of school management committee (SMC) will be convened, during which the present situation will be assessed comprehensively to explore the possibility of creating a conducive atmosphere for conducting board examinations as well as annual school exams," a senior DoE official said.
Addressing the media over the northeast Delhi violence on Friday, 28 February, Delhi Police spokesperson MS Randhawa said 25 FIRs have been registered in connection with firearms so far.
Deepak Dahiya, policeman at whom a shooter (man who opened fire in Maujpur) had pointed gun told ANI, “I saw him running towards me, I tried to scare him by showing my stick. He got distracted and fired a round of bullets towards the opposite road and fled from there.”
Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik, Tariq Anwar, Sushmita Dev and Shaktisinh Gohil visited at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital to meet people who were injured in the northeast Delhi violence, ANI reported.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, briefing the media, said, “There are four subdivisions in northeast Delhi. Normally, there would have been four SDMs, but now we have appointed 18 SDMs there. They're going among the public and talking to them. We're distributing food on a large scale.”
“People whose houses are completely burnt down or substantially burnt down will be given on spot ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 cash each from tomorrow afternoon. Balance amount will be assessed within 2-3 days by PWD department and we'll make an effort to get them their balance cheque,” added Kejriwal.
Addressing a Rally in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Home Minister Amit Shah lashed out the Opposition for criticising the amended Citizenship law.
Shah said that he said this in the Parliament before, so did Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he will say it again:
"The citizenship of the minorities, the Muslims will not be taken away by the law. The law is to give citizesnhip and not take it away. So, why is the Opposition criticising it?" he stated.
He further continued, "Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains are persecuted in the neighbouring states, they're married off, or killed. Then they come to India and they don't even get the citizenship. The law is for them."
A 13-year-old girl, who had gone missing after school on Monday amid violence in northeast Delhi, was reunited with her parents on Friday, 28 February, police officials said, PTI reported.
The girl, a class 8 student, had gone to take an examination at her school in the Khajuri Khas area, some 4.5 km from her residence in Sonia Vihar, on Monday.
A forensic team is inspecting the spot where the body of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma was found on 26 February, ANI reported. His body was found in northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area.
The Delhi High Court Friday sought the response of the Centre, the Delhi government and the police on pleas seeking FIRs against political figures, including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for allegedly making hate speeches, PTI reported.
One of the pleas by a lawyers' group has sought lodging of FIRs against the Congress leaders as well as Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan, AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi and former AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan for allegedly making hate speeches.
A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Centre, the Delhi government and the police on the petition by 'Lawyers Voice' which has also sought setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the alleged hate speeches.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal interacted with some locals in Maujpur area in northeast Delhi on Friday. “I have come here to see myself how things are on ground,” he said.
The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of Delhi Police and directed them to ensure that board exam centers are given proper security in the violence-affected northeast Delhi, ANI reported.
The Court also directed that exam centers must be sanitised and police should ensure there is no breach of security.
Meanwhile, CBSE told HC it is optimistic about holding board exams in northeast Delhi centres from 2 March.
A 60-year-old scrap dealer was allegedly beaten to death in northeast Delhi on Friday in what appears to be a fresh case of violence.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Delhi Police's Southeast DCP RP Meena said, "We had received info through social media that a large group of people will come to Shaheen Bagh from Madanpur Khadar on 1 March. We took it seriously, in light of the current situation. We came to know that locals will join in and carry out a peaceful protest.”
“We called a meeting of aman committee at different locations today, then all the stakeholders were called here at the DCP office. Everyone agreed that they will stay peaceful and the protest will be postponed indefinitely," he added.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Friday deputed a five-member team to visit riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi and submit a detailed report to her.
Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal will be visiting the violence-affected parts of the national capital on Friday.
BSP President Mayawati on Friday wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, demanding a high-level judicial probe monitored by a Supreme Court judge into the violent clashes in Delhi.
Stressing that the violence has "trampled" Delhi like during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Mayawati termed them as most serious and unfortunate, and said they have drawn the concern of the world and got negative publicity.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Friday that the "BJP does not approve" of controversial remarks made by party leaders Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma.
With northeast Delhi rocked by violence, Mishra's incediary remarks about anti-CAA protesters have been under the scanner.
"We have clarified our position very clearly, we do not approve these statements," Prasad said.
Law Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the Congress over its delegation's meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind on the Delhi violence on Thursday, saying, "Sonia Gandhi, please don't preach us 'rajdharma'. Your record is full of twists and turns."
"The Congress can stoop to any level for vote-bank politics, but it should act responsibly for maintaining peace and harmony in the country," Prasad added, as he accused Congress of changing its stand on granting citizenship to persecuted minorities.
Speaking to ANI on the Delhi violence, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, "PM Narendra Modi woke up after 69 hours, and appealed for peace and calm in Delhi. He should have done it earlier. But Home Minister Amit Shah made no such appeal. The Home Minister should have visited the affected areas."
Asked about the action against municipal councillor Tahir Hussain, Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Law and Order) SN Shrivastava, who was on Friday appointed Delhi Police chief with effect from 1 March, said, "We are trying to bring every culprit to justice and we are working on it."
National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma visited the Jaffrabad area on Friday along with two other members to meet the women in the area hit by riots.
"There is a little bit of tension here but on the whole the atmosphere is peaceful. I'll come again tomorrow," she was quoted by ANI as saying.
The death toll due to the violence in northeast Delhi has risen to 39, a Health Department official was quoted by PTI as saying.
The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a reply of the Centre and Delhi government on a plea seeking probe under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to find out those behind the violence in northeast Delhi, PTI reported.
A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notices to the Delhi government and Ministry of Home Affairs on the plea.
The court posted the matter for hearing on 30 April.
Speaking in riot-hit northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area on Friday, Delhi Police Joint Commissioner OP Mishra claimed that the process of normalisation in the area started on Thursday.
"The opening of shops is a sign of normalcy... Our focus is to assure all citizens residing here is that they must start their normal life now... People here must revive their 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb' which got some kind of dent. We've held discussions with Aman Committee here, made elaborate arrangements in view of all devotees who'll go to offer prayers to mosques today," he was quoted by ANI as saying.
National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma will be visiting the Jaffrabad area along with two members to find out about and take note of any cases involving assault on women during the riots in northeast Delhi.
A case was filed on Thursday against BJP leader Kapil Mishra in a Muzaffarpur court in Bihar for allegedly making inflammatory speeches that led to riots and arson in Delhi.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Kumar posted the matter for hearing on 12 March, two days after Holi.
Locals in Chand Bagh area of Northeast said that they formed a human chain to protect Sri Durga Fakiri Mandir in the area when violence broke out. Om Prakash, temple's priest stated that "Locals - both Hindus & Muslims were alert. They saw to it that no outsider comes here." reported ANI.
Russia respects the sovereignty of all countries and the Delhi violence is an “internal”matter of India, a Russian Senator said today.
Member of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrei Klimov, also met representatives from five political parties, including BJP, Congress and AAP. In the meeting, Klimov said it was decided to hold inter-party conferences, reported PTI.
Responding to a question on Pakistan, Klimov said peaceful cooperation between India and Pakistan is in best interest of both the countries.
The peers in the Upper House of the UK Parliament held a debate over the impact of India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and sought representations by the UK government to counterparts in India over arising concerns around minority rights, reported PTI.
The House of Lords debate in London on Tuesday evening, tabled by crossbench peer John Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich, called on the UK government to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct a review of the CAA and its effects on Indian society amid the deaths associated with mass protests against the act in the country.
Ministry of Home Affairs stated, “Prohibitory orders imposed under section 144 will be relaxed for 10 hours tomorrow in view of improvement in situation.”
They added that no major incident was reported in last 36 hours in any affected police station of Delhi's northeast district.
“So far, 48 FIRs, pertaining to clashes, loss of lives/property, etc have already been registered and further FIRs would be registered in due course. Police has detained/arrested 514 suspects for questioning so far. Further arrests would be effected in course of investigation,” MHA stated.
Home Minister Amit Shah held a review meeting to take stock of prevailing law and order situation in Delhi today, in the light of the violence affecting northeast Delhi. Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Delhi Police Commissioner, Special Commissioner (Law and Order) were present, reported ANI.
India today “encouraged” the UN's human rights body to develop a “better understanding and appreciation” of the freedoms and rights that are guaranteed and protected in a vibrant democracy like India before coming to any conclusions on issues like the amended citizenship law and the Kashmir issue.
India's strong statement came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday voiced “great concern” over India's amended citizenship law and reports of “police inaction” in the face of communal attacks in Delhi, urging political leaders to prevent violence.
Updating the ongoing 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on human rights developments around the world, Bachelet also spoke about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, reported PTI.
The death toll in the violence in northeast Delhi has risen to 38, with 34 deaths at Delhi’s GTB Hospital, three at LNJP Hospital and one at Jag Parvesh Chander Hospital.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out Thursday against "massacres" of Muslims in India after the violence over CAA in northeast Delhi.
"India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread. What massacres? Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus," President Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara, according to AFP.
The CPI(M) has written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal offering help in his efforts to restore peace in northeast Delhi, and urging him to convene an all-party meeting to “unitedly ensure communal harmony” in the city.
The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed 34 lives so far and left over 200 people injured. “We write to assure you of our Party's cooperation in efforts to bring peace and communal harmony to Delhi,” said the letter written by CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat and its Delhi State Committee Secretary KM Tewari, reported PTI.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal held a review meeting today regarding the law and order situation in East/Northeast Delhi. It was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), Special Commissioners of Police (Law and Order) and other offices.
He added, “Directed Special CP (Vigilance) assisted by officers of EDMC, Health Department and District Administration to meet the injured/families of deceased personally and ensure that all steps are taken to provide all possible assistance to them.”
BSP chief Mayawati demanded a Supreme Court-supervised probe into the communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi and said that the Centre and the AAP government should pitch in together to compensate people for the loss suffered in the riots.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said police should be given a free hand to control the law and order situation in the national capital.
In a statement, she said the recent violence in northeast Delhi was much like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "It is very sad and condemnable," the statement said quoting Mayawati, reported PTI.
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral said today that the Delhi Police's “inaction” towards protecting the lives and properties of minorities in the national capital is a “reminiscent” of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The lawmaker, whose party is a BJP ally, said no one wants a repeat of what happened in 1984.
Speaking to PTI after shooting off a letter to Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik, Gujral, the son of former prime minister IK Gujral, said that minorities in certain parts of Delhi are “frightened.”
In his letter, which has also been marked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, the MP has slammed the Police for allegedly not acting on his call on Wednesday, informing them that a group of 16 people from the minority community was trapped in a house surrounded by rioters and needed help.
Two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) has been constituted under Delhi Police Crime Branch and all the FIRs have been transferred to them, reports ANI.
Two SITs of Crime Branch have been formed under DCP Joy Tirkey and DCP Rajesh Deo. The teams to immediately take over the investigation of the cases connected with North East Delhi violence. BK Singh, Additional CP Crime Branch to supervise the work of the two teams.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra, accused of making a hate speech before communal violence unfolded in northeast Delhi, on Thursday said he was being questioned for urging anti-CAA protesters to clear road blockades while those talking of "dividing" the country were not.
Mishra, in the spotlight for his incendiary remarks calling for forceful removal of citizenship law protesters last week, made the comment as he carried out a "peace march" from Jantar Mantar to Delhi Police headquarters, even as a TV channel journalist was heckled during the event allegedly by his supporters.
MS Randhawa, Delhi Police PRO said, “The situation is normal. No incident took place today. Adequate forces have been deployed. Forty-eight FIRs have beem registered so far, more FIRs are being registered as we are getting more information. Three-fifty Aman committee meetings have been held so far.”
He added, “We will address all the individual cases. Investigation is going on. We have multiple footages. As the investigation progresses in all the cases, we will share the details. We are investigating from all angles.”
Raveesh Kumar, MEA spokesperson on Organization of Islamic Cooperation' statement on Delhi Violence said, “OIC statement is factually inaccurate, selective and misleading. There is an effort on ground to restore normalcy and create confidence. We urge these bodies not to issue irresponsible statements,” reported ANI.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today blamed the BJP for the communal violence in the national capital, saying this is their “Gujarat model,” and alleged that the saffron party does politics “by spreading hatred.”
“BJP is responsible for the riots. It's their Gujarat model, which is nothing but spreading hatred,” Yadav said when asked about the violence in Delhi, reported PTI.
Addressing the media, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that their government will bear treatment expenses of the victims wounded amid the violence that erupted in northeast Delhi this week.
“Ten lakh compensation will be given to families of those who died during the violence,” added Kejriwal.
“Under Delhi government's 'Farishte' scheme of free-of-cost medical treatment at any private hospital, those affected in this violence can get medical treatment,” he said.
BJP leader Gautam Gambhir tweeted, “Throwing corpses in the drain by killing IB jawan Ankit Sharma, sheltering rioters at home and throwing petrol bombs! Such allegations are being levied on a representative! If this proven to be true, then public will not forgive Tahir Hussain, neither law nor God.”
He added, “Arvind Kejriwal, your silence is deafening.”
Special CP, Law and Order, SN Shrivastava interacts with locals in violence-affected Khajuri Khas in Northeast Delhi.
CBSE has postponed exams scheduled for 28 and 29 February for schools in northeast Delhi and some centres in east Delhi.
The government should ensure that peace is restored in Delhi, RSS general secretary Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi said in Nagpur on Thursday. Talking to reporters, Joshi also said nobody has the right to take law into their hands.
“The government should instill peace in areas where there is 'ashanti' (unrest),” the RSS functionary said.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday adjourned the case relating to filing of FIRs against leaders for hate speech to 13 April, giving four weeks to the Union of India to file a reply.
Arguing for petitioner Harsh Mander, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves noted that there have been several speeches by leaders from a particular political party, where they have encouraged people to 'go and kill'.
During the hearing in Delhi HC on Thursday – on a plea seeking FIRs against those whose provocative speeches allegedly instigated the riots in Delhi – Solicitor General Tushar Mehta read out an affidavit from the Delhi Police Commissioner saying that they have taken a 'conscious decision' not to register FIRs in haste and will carefully consider this and file cases at an appropriate stage when the atmosphere is more conducive.
The solicitor general added that 48 FIRs have been lodged till date in relation to arson, looting and deaths during violence in northeast Delhi.
AAP spokesperson and Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday said that the station house officers (SHOs) of riot-hit areas should be put on narcoanalysis test, which should be streamed live on news channels, pointing out that it would be "sure-shot technique" to know who is the mastermind of the riots.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday, 27 February, said that it will conduct fresh exams for the students of Class 10 and 12 who have missed out on the exams so far in Delhi due to the violence that broke out.
The board has asked principals to send the details to its concerned regional offices of all such students who were unable to appear for the exams.
Exams in various subjects for Class 10 and 12 were postponed in northeast Delhi on 26 and 27 February as violence erupted.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General MK Acharya, and advocates Amit Mahajan and Rajat Nair to represent the Delhi Police in the matters related to law and order situation in the areas of Northeast, Shahdara and East districts of Delhi, ANI reported.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a high-level meeting over the violence in the northeast parts of the capital on Thursday. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Minister Kailash Gahlot and other officers also attended the meeting.
In the meeting, it was decided to provide relief material to these areas, reported ANI.
Addressing the media after submitting a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on the Delhi violence on Thursday, former PM and Congress leader Manmohan Singh said, “We called upon the President to suggest to him that what has happened in last four days in Delhi is a matter of great concern and a matter of national shame... It is a reflection on total failure of the Central government.”
The Congress delegation which met the President was led by Sonia Gandhi, who reiterated the demand to remove Home Minister Amit Shah. "The Centre and the Delhi government were mute spectators to the violence," she said.
"The President said he will take cognisance of our demands, we feel fairly satisfied," Gandhi added.
Delhi Police's Special Commissioner (Law and Order) SN Shrivastava on Thursday claimed that the situation after four days of violence in northeast Delhi is returning to normal.
"We are registering cases and proceeding with legal action, soon we will be making arrests. I hope all these things will contribute to normalcy," he added.
Meanwhile, East Delhi Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilraj Kaur said, "We had a coordination meeting today. It's a coordinated team effort with Delhi Police. We'll be deploying our resources to clean up the areas. We'll try our best to bring it to normalcy at the earliest."
A Congress delegation led by its chief Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh met President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday to submit a memorandum on the violence.
The death toll in the northeast Delhi violence has risen to 34, a senior Delhi Health Department official said.
BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday slammed the Centre and the Delhi government over the violence in northeast Delhi, saying, "In the guise of Delhi violence, political parties are playing dirty politics. Centre should let the police and the system work freely, without any kind of interference. Delhi CM should play a major role in normalising the situation instead of doing politics in other states."
Sporadic violence was reported from riot-hit areas in northeast Delhi, even as an eerie calm prevailed across the neighbourhoods in Jaffarabad, Maujpur, Chandbagh, Gokulpuri and surrounding areas, on Thursday, PTI reported.
Most shops were closed with their shutters bearing marks of the violence that was witnessed over the last few days and people chose to stay indoors.
Responding to concerns raised by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and others on the Delhi violence, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday urged that "irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time".
"PM Narendra Modi has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. Law enforcement agencies are working to prevent violence, restore normalcy," the MEA said.
The death toll at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital has risen to 30, its medical superintendent, Sunil Kumar Gautam, said on Thursday.
At least two people have also died at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) hospital, taking the total death to 32.
Fire Department Director Atul Garg said that they have received 19 calls from 12 am till 8 am on Thursday from the violence-affected areas of northeast Delhi.
"More than 100 firemen have been deployed. The four fire stations in these areas have been provided with extra fire tenders... Senior officials are inspecting the affected areas. We did not face any resistance this time while carrying out the operations in the affected areas of northeast Delhi," he said.
With one more death reported at the GTB Hospital on Thursday, the death toll from the violence in northeast Delhi has risen to 28 people.
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh took out a peace march in east Delhi's Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency on Wednesday in a bid to ease tensions after three days of communal violence.
Chants of 'Hindu-Muslim, Sikh-Issai Sab Hain Bhai-Bhai', 'Bhaichara Zindabad' and 'Humari Ekta Zindabad' were heard during the march, PTI reported.
Singh said the march saw the participation of scores of people from all religions.
A day after US lawmakers reacted sharply to the violence in the Indian capital, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders here accused US President Donald Trump of failing on the issue of human rights.
Slamming the US president, Sanders said the Trump's statement regarding the violence in New Delhi during his India visit was a "failure of leadership".
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