PM calls for calm as toll rises to 24
new delhi — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for calm on Wednesday after Delhi’s worst sectarian violence in decades left at least 24 people dead and calls for a military curfew.
This week’s battles between Hindus and Muslims have seen mobs armed with swords, guns and acid raze parts of a northeastern district of the Indian capital.
The clashes, which also left almost 200 injured, were triggered by protests against a citizenship law seen by many critics as anti-Muslim and part of Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda.
They exploded into brutal violence on Monday and Tuesday, with residents forced to flee their homes after seeing dwellings destroyed, a mosque attacked and a tyre market and two schools set ablaze.
“I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important... calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest,” Modi tweeted on Wednesday.
Delhi’s CM Arvind Kejriwal, a political opponent, called for the army to be deployed and for a curfew to be imposed. “Police, despite all (their) efforts, (are) unable to control the situation and instill confidence,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Delhi Police spokesman Mandeep Singh Randhawa told reporters 106 people had been arrested and police were scouring CCTV footage to look for the perpetrators of the violence.
Sunil Kumar, the director of Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital where many of the wounded were taken, said on Wednesday almost 60 had gunshot injuries and that 16 new patients were admitted on Wednesday. Twenty-two people died at GTB, while another two passed away at Lok Nayak Hospital on Wednesday, medical superintendent Kishore Singh said.
The area is home to mostly poorer economic migrants from elsewhere in India living in shanty neighbourhoods, and some fled on Wednesday ahead of more expected clashes.
Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times
Narendra Modi
Prime Minister
Such a tragic loss of life. The culprits must not be spared. 20 people have already lost their lives. So painful to watch people of Delhi suffering
Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister
As of now, we have not issued any written orders to shoot on the spot. Nor has curfew been imposed in any area
Alok Kumar
Jt Commissioner of Police, East Zone
No action on BJP leader Kapil Mishra is as shameful as his statement. I appeal to the people of Delhi to not indulge in violence
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Congress General Secretary
Nine died of gun shots, 5 were hit by blunt objects, one died due to burns, 3 were stabbed whereas the rest of the cases are yet to be analysed
Sunil Kumar
Guru Teg Bahadur hospital official