21 arrested amid uneasy calm after Delhi clashes
NEW DELHI: Twenty-one people including the “main conspirators” have been arrested over communal violence in Jahangirpuri, the Delhi Police said on Sunday, as security forces patrolled the streets amid an uneasy calm a day after gunshots were fired.
Two juveniles have also been apprehended, the police said, adding that the case has been transferred to the crime branch for further investigation. The streets of Jahangirpuri in northwest Delhi, which witnessed a clash outside a mosque on Saturday, wore a deserted look on Sunday, with some local residents patrolling the lanes and requesting people to maintain peace and harmony.
Seven first information reports (FIRS) have been lodged at the Jahangirpuri police station.
The investigation is being conducted without bias and prejudice, said Dependra Pathak, special commissioner of police, law and order, zone 1. “We’ve enough CCTV camera footages, besides statements of local residents,” Pathak said. “We’ll not touch innocent people, but not spare guilty persons who ignited communal passion.”
A clash between two groups of Hindus and Muslims broke out on Saturday when a procession to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti was confronted by another group of people in front of a mosque. There was stone pelting by the mob and gunshots were fired.
“One of the accused, identified as 21-year-old Mohammad
Aslam, alias Khodu, alias Aslam Ali, a resident of CD Park jhuggi (slum) in Jahangirpuri, has admitted to opening fire on the procession, and has been arrested,” Pathak said. “The countrymade pistol used in the commission of crime has been recovered from his possession.”
Aslam has a prior record of engaging in criminal activities, Pathak said. During the investigation, another person, 35-year-old Mohammad Ansar, a resident of B Block in Jahangirpuri, who has been previously involved in assault, has been arrested, he said.
“Three firearms and five swords have been recovered from the possession of the accused persons. All of them are
local residents,” Pathak said.
Eight police personnel and one civilian sustained injuries in the incident and are being treated at Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, the police said.
A meeting was organised by Usha Rangnani, deputy commissioner of police, northwest, at Kushal Chowk with members of aman (peace) committees of areas under Jahangirpuri, Mahendra Park and Adarsh Nagar police stations on Sunday morning.
“During the meeting, all the members were asked to appeal to the public in their areas to maintain peace, harmony and tranquility. They were also requested to counter any rumour or misinformation, be vigilant towards the
activities of any mischievous and antisocial elements, to keep in touch with police and to ensure immediate reporting of anything suspicious that comes into their notice,” Rangnani said. “Further, they were assured of professional and fair investigation and due legal action on the part of police.”
Meanwhile, the streets outside the mosque in Jahangirpuri on Sunday wore a deserted look, as shops were shuttered. Blocks B and C, which witnessed the communal clash on Saturday, host a working population including fishmongers and mobile and clothes shops.
Local residents say people from outside the neighbourhood caused the communal trouble.