New Delhi: With northeast Delhi remains on the edge with 34 dead and over 200 injured after four straight days of brutal violence over the citizenship law, 130 people have been arrested so far. Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel are patrolling the streets of the region amid reports of sporadic violence on Thursday. Reports of arson and unrest emerged from northeast Delhi’s Bhajanpura, Maujpur and Karawal Nagar areas late on Wednesday, hours after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited violence-affected areas of the national capital to offer personal guarantees that the government would restore peace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made his first public statement, calling for “peace and brotherhood”. Delhi Police has filed 18 FIRs and arrested 130 people in connection with the violence, which they say is now under control.
The number of deaths went up to 34 on Thursday after two bodies were found in a drain in Gagan Vihar-Johripur area.
A furious Delhi High Court on Wednesday urged police to file FIRs against those making hateful and inflammatory speeches. The court’s observation came after speeches made by four BJP leaders, including Union Minister Anurag Thakur and local leader Kapil Mishra (whose rally in northeast Delhi on Sunday afternoon has been accused of inciting violence), were played in open court, prompting Justice S Muralidhar to assert “the court would not allow another 1984 scenario”. Justice Muralidhar has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The notification, based on a Supreme Court collegium recommendation on February 12, was issued late on Wednesday night.
Amid the bloodshed and the tragedy, stories of brotherhood and people of different communities and religions standing against the hate has lifted spirits. Midway between Jafrabad and Maujpur, one mohalla has emerged as a relative haven of peace.
