Delhi Police dispersed the students which had gathered outside the residence of Chief Minister of Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal over the rising concerns of violence in the city
In the early hours today i.e., Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at around 3:30 a.m., the Delhi Police dispersed the students which had gathered outside the residence of Chief Minister of Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal over the rising concerns of violence in the city.
As of now, 20 people have died and more than 200 have been injured due to ongoing violence against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Population Register (NPR) in North East Delhi.
The people who had gathered included students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), members of the Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia (AAJMI) and Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC). They had assembled at Kejriwal’s residence around midnight. They wanted to submit a charter of demands as violence continues to grow abnormally. They demanded Kejriwal and the local Member of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) to visit the affected areas and organise peach march.
The police had to resort to water canon to disperse the crowd. The students later alleged that they were detained by the police and taken to nearby Civil Lines police station.
Requesting for Army intervention for restoring peace, Kejriwal tweeted, “I have been in touch wid large no of people whole nite. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence Army shud be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately Am writing to Hon’ble HM to this effect”
Urging people to restore peace, Kejriwal tweeted, “Am v worried abt prevailing situation in certain parts of Del. All of us together shud make all efforts to restore peace in our city. I again urge everyone to shun violence. Am meeting all MLAs (of all parties) of affected areas along wid senior officials in a while.”
Am v worried abt prevailing situation in certain parts of Del. All of us together shud make all efforts to restore peace in our city. I again urge everyone to shun violence
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2020
Am meeting all MLAs (of all parties) of affected areas along wid senior officials in a while
Meeting the victims of violence in hospital, Kejriwal wrote on twitter, “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.”
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 pic.twitter.com/Nh2VI6BRTG
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2020
Separately, the Delhi High Court held an urgent midnight hearing in which Justice S. Muralidhar heard a writ petition filed by Advocate – Suroor Mander at his residence. The Delhi High Court has ordered Delhi Police to provide safe passage to all injured victims of the violence to Government hospitals for treatment.
It is to be noted that violence is turning uglier with every passing day. The National Security Advisor to Prime Minister of India – Ajit Doval also reached Seelampur, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Maujpur areas to take stock of the situation and visited violence-hit areas.
On Tuesday, i.e., February 25, 2020, when the police forced back pro-CAA protesters from the temple on the main Maujpur-Jafrabad Road, the epicentre of the violence, the hostility shifted to the inner lanes and across the Shahdara drain dividing the region both geographically and demographically. The situation remained tense through the day, with the confrontationists pelting stones at each other.
There were clashes between 2 groups of people – one who oppose CAA and another who support CAA. This led to pelting of stones, burning of shops, looting of shops and thrashing the people. Curfew was imposed in North East Delhi and rumours flew of Delhi Police issuing shoot-at-sight orders, which the police later denied.
How the violence unfolded
The protest against CAA turn violent when a local Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former MLA – Kapil Mishra, publicly spoke out against the anti-CAA protesters, in the presence of the DCP of North East Delhi District – Ved Prakash Surya on February 23, 2020. Kapil Mishra tried to intimidate the police to remove the protesters in 3 days’ time, or else he will take the matter into his own hands. Three complaints (two police complaints for a report and one legal plea to the Supreme Court of India) have been filed against Kapil Mishra for inciting the violence.
At that time, Kapil had tweeted, “आज ठीक तीन बजे – जाफराबाद के जवाब में जाफराबाद के ठीक सामने मौजपुर चौक की रेड लाइट पर CAA के समर्थन में डंके की चोट पर हम लोग सड़क पर उतरेंगे आप सभी आमंत्रित हैं”
आज ठीक तीन बजे – जाफराबाद के जवाब में
— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) February 23, 2020
जाफराबाद के ठीक सामने
मौजपुर चौक की रेड लाइट पर
CAA के समर्थन में
डंके की चोट पर
हम लोग सड़क पर उतरेंगे
आप सभी आमंत्रित हैं
Another tweet read, “Now at Muajpur in suport of CAA मौजपुर चौक पर जाफराबाद के सामने कद बढ़ा नहीं करते एड़ियां उठाने से CAA वापस नहीं होगा सड़कों पर बीबियाँ बिठाने से”
“Now at Muajpur in suport of CAA मौजपुर चौक पर जाफराबाद के सामने कद बढ़ा नहीं करते एड़ियां उठाने से CAA वापस नहीं होगा सड़कों पर बीबियाँ बिठाने से”On February 24, 2020, violent clashes occurred at Jaffrabad and Maujpur in which one of the Head Constable of Police – Ratan Lal, and a protester were killed. The pro-CAA demonstrators and anti-CAA protesters clashed with each other and stones were pelted from both sides. The police used tear gas and lathicharge to control the situation.
Later, a man identified as Shahrukh, opened fire at police intimidating the police officer to back away with his hands raised, before firing repeatedly into the air. The shooter was later detained and questioned about his intentions.
Although Section 144 was imposed in was imposed in all the affected areas, but the rioters were still seen active. The law and order including police and public order in Delhi comes under Ministry of Home Affairs. The Home Minister of India – Amit Shah stated that the violence is politically motivated as India was all set to welcome the President of United States (U.S.) – Donald Trump to India.
On February 25, 2020, stone pelting was reported from Maujpur, Brahampuri and other neighbouring areas. Rapid Action Force was deployed in the worst affected areas.
Present Scenario
Ajit Doval has been given the responsibility of restoring peace in Delhi. He would be meting the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today.
The Delhi High Court has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide longer solution regarding holding board exams in violence-hit North East Delhi.
