Published 17:38 IST, February 24th 2020
Delhi L-G Anil Baijal urges restraint as violence grips national capital
Delhi L-G Anil Baijal said he had instructed Delhi Police and Commissioner of Police to ensure that law and order are maintained in chaos-hit North East Delhi
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Amid violence gripping parts of the national capital over the CAA, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday said he had instructed Delhi Police and Commissioner of Police to ensure that law and order are maintained in chaos-hit North East Delhi. In a massive escalation of tension in the area, protesters resorted to violence, torching at least two houses and a fire tender in the Jaffrabad and Maujpur areas.
Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal lost his life and one DCP has been injured during clashes in Gokulpuri. Clashes erupted between pro and anti-CAA groups on Sunday evening and both the groups hurled stones at each other allegedly in presence of Delhi Police. The tensions further boiled over on Monday.
"The situation is being closely monitored. I urge everyone to exercise restraint for the maintenance of peace and harmony," Anil Baijal was quoted saying.
Delhi: A clash broke out between two groups in Maujpur area, today. Ved Prakash Surya DCP (North-East) says, "We have spoken to both sides, now the situation is calm. We are continuously speaking to people, now the situation is under control". pic.twitter.com/kSPSFUYCHQ
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2020
Sec 144 in place, Police call for calm
The L-G's statement came even as the cops imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the affected areas of the North East district and vowed to take "strict action against miscreants and anti-social elements". ANI quoted a police officer saying, "Some incidents of violence and arson have been reported in the areas of North East District, particularly in the areas of Maujpur, Kardampuri, Chand Bagh and Dayalpur. It is appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony & not to believe in any false rumors."
While police fired tear gas shells and also resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. According to officials, a fire tender was damaged by the protesters after it responded to a fire call in the area on Monday. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at the Jaffrabad and Maujpur-Babarpur stations.
CM Kejriwal 'very disturbed'
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to restore law and order in the wake of violence in parts of northeast Delhi during protests for and against the new citizenship law (CAA).
Expressing his concern, Kejriwal in a tweet said, "Very distressing news regarding disturbance of peace and harmony in parts of Delhi coming in. I sincerely urge Hon’ble LG n Hon'ble Union Home Minister to restore law and order and ensure that peace and harmony are maintained. Nobody should be allowed to orchestrate flagrations."
17:38 IST, February 24th 2020