Leaders call for peace, demand strict action
DELHI CHIEF MINISTER ARVIND KEJRIWAL URGED THE L-G AND THE UNION HOME MINISTER TO RESTORE LAW AND ORDER IN THE CITY
NEWDELHI: A political blame game erupted following the violence and arson in northeast Delhi where pro- and anti-caa groups clashed on Monday, with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal urging lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal and Union home minister Amit Shah to “restore law and order” and the opposition targeting the CM for “appearing helpless”.
The Bharatiya Janata Party said the CM should talk to anticitizenship (Amendment) Act protesters and explain it to them that the amendment was not against Indian citizens.
The Congress, meanwhile, asked the CM to call an all-party meeting and launch helplines for those affected by Monday’s riots.
Hours after violence broke out in Northeast Delhi, Delhi LG Anil Baijal tweeted, “Instructed @Delhipolice and @Cpdelhi to ensure that law and order is maintained in North East Delhi. The situation is being closely monitored. I urge everyone to exercise restraint for maintenance of peace and harmony.”
The CM, who took oath as the member of the Delhi assembly on Monday, spoke to L-G about the deteriorating situation. He tweeted, “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 n ensure that peace and harmony is maintained. Nobody should be allowed to orchestrate flagrations.”
His deputy Manish Sisodia and cabinet colleague Gopal Rai also asked people to maintain peace.
The BJP, which is the main opposition party in the city, said the CM should explain to people sitting on protest against the amended citizenship law that it is “not going to take away the citizenship of any person”.
Delhi BJP chief and North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari said, “The CM should talk to people. Woh Mukhya Mantri hain, woh mook darshak nahi ban sakte (he is the CM of Delhi; he can’t be a mute spectator to what’s happening in the city).”
Tiwari added, “His party has got a huge mandate in Delhi; people will listen to him. He should tell people that Citizenship (Amendment) Act doesn’t have provision to take away anyone’s citizenship. Indian citizens need not worry.”
Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra said the chief minister should take action to control the situation rather than tweeting about it.
“When you have government resources, why are you not making concerted efforts to ensure peace? I appeal to people to maintain peace,” Chopra tweeted.
In a series of tweets, Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken said the CM should immediately call an all-party meeting, set up peace committees and launch a helpline for assistance.
“@Arvindkejriwalji, As a CM, please do not appear to be helpless- A few suggestions1)immediately establish a helpline directly under you for any complaint of police inaction…2)immediately call an Allparty meeting… 3)Immediately form peace committees in all troubled areas comprising of important social influencers from the same areas…4)immediately establish a hotline with Lt Governor,” Maken said in a series of tweets.
On the death on head constable in the violence, Kejriwal tweeted, “The death of the police head constable is very sad. He was also one of us.”