New Delhi: After three days of communal riots in northeast Delhi, 25 people lost their lives and nearly 200 were left injured, even as the situation was being brought under control.
Heavy presence of police and paramilitary personnel was seen Wednesday in the violence-hit areas, including Shiv Vihar, Gokalpur, Jaffrabad, Maujpur and Chand Bagh.
Here are the day’s updates:
20:45pm: Pakistan PM Imran Khan condemned the violence in Delhi and said the world community ‘must act’ now.
“Now 200 million Muslims in India are being targeted. The world community must act now,” he tweeted.
“Whenever a racist ideology based on hatred takes over, it leads to bloodshed,” he said.
20:25pm: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended police before Delhi High Court, said they are “not having picnic, they are facing acid attacks”.
Mehta’s submission came before a bench of justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh who were hearing of a plea seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests of people involved in the violence.
20:03pm: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia visit violence-hit areas in northeast Delhi to take stock of situation and interact with local residents.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia are visiting sensitive areas in #NortheastDelhi and interacting with the local residents there, to take stock of the situation of the area. pic.twitter.com/khsoWN9pLh
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
19:48pm: Actor and politician Rajinikanth has condemned the home ministry for failing to contain Delhi riots. Calling it an ‘intelligence failure’, Rajinikanth said the riots should have been dealt with, ‘with an iron hand’.
19:37pm: Officials say Delhi Police has arrested 106 people and registered 18 FIRs in connection with the riots in northeast Delhi, reports PTI.
19:34pm: Delhi Police sets up two helpline numbers for people caught in violence-hit areas — 011-22829334, 22829335.
19:14pm: A spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was monitoring the situation in Delhi closely, according to PTI. Guterres said that protesters should be allowed to protest peacefully and that security forces should show restraint.
19:08pm: Senior Mumbai Police officials have said that no unlawful protests will be allowed in Mumbai, reports PTI. This order comes after social media saw calls for sit-ins in solidarity with those suffering in Delhi.
18:37pm: The US Embassy in India has issued a safety alert to US citizens in Delhi, asking them to be cautious, and aware of local news and section 144 imposed in certain areas of the city.
Security Alert – Demonstrations in Northeast Delhi: https://t.co/e48NNK2xk6
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) February 26, 2020
18:10pm: The Delhi pogrom 2020 is Amit Shah’s answer to an election defeat, writes Shivam Vij. Read here.
18:00pm: Speaking in Delhi Assembly, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announces compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of Delhi Police Head Constable Rattan Lal, who lost his life in the riots. According to ANI, he also said that Hindus and Muslims of Delhi do not want to fight.
17:54pm: Congress’s Priyanka Gandhi the government and the Home Minister have failed in their duty to bring peace to Delhi, reports PTI.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena condemns the riots, comparing them to the 1984 riots.
Violence in Delhi akin to "horror film" depicting grim reality of 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Shiv Sena. #DelhiViolence
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 26, 2020
17:35pm: Congress carries out a peace march from AICC headquarters to 30 January Marg, Gandhi Smriti to protests against the Delhi government’s inaction in containing the violence.
AICC General Secretary Smt. @priyankagandhi & senior Congress leaders lead a peace march from AICC HQ to Gandhi Smriti.#AmitShahIstifaDo pic.twitter.com/b2Yv6s1kTW
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 26, 2020
17:26pm: Riot-hit Northeast Delhi has 1 MP, 7 MLAs but only one has visited his constituency. Read here.
17:25pm: CBSE postpones the class 12 English exam, which were scheduled for tomorrow, across 73 centres in northeast Delhi and seven in east Delhi, reports PTI.
CBSE postpones the following subject exams scheduled for tomorrow in North East Part of Delhi.
Exams in rest of Delhi shall be conducted as scheduled.
The next date of exam for affected students will be notified shortly. pic.twitter.com/rLraVmLJQP— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
17:09pm: While interacting with a resident of northeast Delhi, who is affected by the riots, Ajit Doval consoled her by saying, “Prem ki bhaavna bana kar rakhiye. Hamara ek desh hai, hum sab ko milkar rehna hai. Desh ko mil kar aage badhana hai.”
17:03pm: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval visits violence-hit Maujpur and Jaffrabad areas in northeast Delhi to take stock of the situation. He also interacts with locals and police officers. He then proceeds to meet the Commissioner of Delhi Police, NDTV reports.
#WATCH Delhi: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval takes stock of the situation in Maujpur area of #NortheastDelhi pic.twitter.com/f8Jc7LR7P0
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
16:41pm: Delhi High Court asks Special Commissioner of Police, S.N. Srivastava, to communicate to the Commissioner of Delhi Police that FIRs should be registered against the three BJP leaders for their inflammatory speeches.
We're simply asking questions that every citizen wants to know: why are FIRs not being registered? Justice Muralidhar asks. @ThePrintIndia
— Apoorva Mandhani (@MandhaniApoorva) February 26, 2020
Justice Muralidhar asks the police why FIRs haven’t been registered so far. He also asks Delhi Police to take a conscious decision on lodging of FIRs and convey it to the court on Thursday, PTI reported.
CAA violence: Just register FIRs (on speeches by 3 BJP leaders), Delhi HC tells Spl CP to communicate it to Police Commissioner
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 26, 2020
15:28pm: Colin Gonsalves, advocate for Harsh Mander, shows the court videos of BJP leaders like Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, and Kapil Mishra delivering incendiary speeches.
15:24pm: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan puts out statement condemning the RSS and BJP for the violence and riots.
It is deeply worrying that neighborhoods in our national capital are burning. This is an outcome of Sangh Parivar's delusion that they can silence dissent with violence. Rampaging mobs and unabated hate speech indicate a serious situation. This must end. Sanity should prevail.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) February 26, 2020
15:17pm: Delhi government counsel Rahul Mehra submits that even though, as per law, police officers should report to him, nothing of the sort has happened.
He further added that FIRs should be filed against the three BJP leaders and those involved in the violence. “I don’t see why an FIR shouldn’t be registered. If it’s later found to be wrong, they can be cancelled,” said Mehra.
Delhi govt counsel Rahul Mehra: I don't see why an FIR shouldn't be registered. He says that if it's later found to be wrong, they can be cancelled. @ThePrintIndia
— Apoorva Mandhani (@MandhaniApoorva) February 26, 2020
15:14pm: Solicitor General asks the court for more time to review the matter of filing FIRs as well as the videos circulating online, saying it is a sensitive issue.
14:58pm: Delhi High Court has ordered that safe passage must be assured for ambulances and those who have died, and that they be buried with dignity.
It has also ordered that special helplines and help desks be set up. Justice Muralidhar said that the government should set up shelters, with basic amenities, for those who have been displaced by the riots.
4. Victim's displaced by the riots: Many people have had to leave their homes and are afraid to get back, Justice Muralidhar observes. If there aren't enough shelters, govt should tackle this on "war footing" to ensure that adequate number of shelters are set up. @ThePrintIndia
— Apoorva Mandhani (@MandhaniApoorva) February 26, 2020
14:44pm: Delhi High Court says the highest constitutional functionaries with Z-security should reach out to affected people to give them confidence that the law is functioning, reports PTI.
14:29pm: Delhi High Court resumes hearing Harsh Mander’s plea. It applauds Delhi Police’s efforts in evacuating injured in violence hit areas Tuesday night.
Delhi high court being informed that after it's midnight order, safe passages were created.
Death toll numbers anywhere between 20 and 35, court being informed.@ThePrintIndia #delhiriots #DelhiViolence
— Apoorva Mandhani (@MandhaniApoorva) February 26, 2020
"In this city, we shouldn't allow another 1984, not under the watch of this court": Justice Muralidhar@ThePrintIndia
— Apoorva Mandhani (@MandhaniApoorva) February 26, 2020
14:20pm: The Intelligence Bureau staffer, Ankit Sharma, found dead near his home in Chand Bagh, may have been killed in stone pelting, say officials. His body taken to GTB Hospital for autopsy, reports PTI.
14:16pm: Details of those killed, so far, in the communal violence in northeast Delhi:
1. Mubarak Hussain, 28, MLC no. D66, PS Bhajanpura
2. Ishak Khan, 24, Mlc no. B3369/10/2020, PS Welcome-Seelampur
3. Ram Ser, 48, PS Jyotinagar, MalC B2-751/03/20
4. Beerban, 40, PS Karawalnagar, MLC D46
5. Rahul Solanki, 26, PS Karawal Nagar, Mlc BD542/02/2020
6. Shan Md., 35, PS GTB enclave, Mlc D43
7. Rahul Thakur, 23, Mlc DL14, PS Dayalpur
8. Md Furqan, 30, PS Jyoti Nagar, MLC BD538/02/2020
9. Shahid, 25, PS Dayalpur, Mlc BD540/02/2020
10. Unknown, 25, Male. PS Dayalpur, Mlc BD539/02/2020
11. Unknown, 22, Male, Mlc D52. PS Dayalpur
12. Unknown, 70, Female, MLC D69, PS Bhajanpura
13. Ashfaq Hussain, 22, PS Dayalpur, MLC D01 or D 07
14. Zakir, 24, PS Dayalpur, MLC not mentioned
15. Mehtab, 22, PS Dayalpur, Mlc D03
16. Unknown, 40, Mlc D04, PS Dayalpur
17. Pravesh, 48, PS Jaffrabad, Mlc no. D59
18. Mudassir, 30, Mlc BD549/02/2020, PS Welcome-Seelampur
19. Unknown, 30, Male. PS Welcome-Seelampur, Mlc BD 546/02/2020
20. Deepak, 34, PS Jyoti Nagar, Mlc no. BD 548/02/2020
21. Mohammad Tahir, 28
22. Atul Gupta, 45
23. Mahrum Ali, 25
24. Aman, 19
13:54pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally issues a statement, saying he has had an extensive review of the situation. He appeals for peace and harmony and says normalcy must be restored at the earliest.
Had an extensive review on the situation prevailing in various parts of Delhi. Police and other agencies are working on the ground to ensure peace and normalcy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2020
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. It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2020
13:51pm: The body of Intelligence Bureau Officer Ankit Sharma has been found in northeast Delhi’s Chand Bagh area, which was hit by violence Tuesday, according to ANI.
Delhi: Body of Intelligence Bureau Officer Ankit Sharma found in North East district's Chand Bagh area today. pic.twitter.com/WLDG0odk6P
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
13:32pm: Delhi High Court asks the Solicitor General to advice Delhi Police Commissioner on lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by 3 BJP leaders.
The hearing will continue at 2.30 pm.
13:25pm: Congress chief Sonia Gandhi holds a press briefing over situation in Delhi, calling for home minister Amit Shah to resign. “The Centre, Home Minister, and Delhi government responsible for the situation in Delhi. Home Minister Amit Shah must take responsibility for the violence and resign,” she said, adding that there is need for urgent action and security forces to be called in.
There is a well-planned conspiracy behind the continuous traumatic accidents that have been happening since last Sunday. The country saw this conspiracy during the Delhi elections as well: Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi#AmitShahIstifaDo
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 26, 2020
13:17pm: Death toll rises to 24 as four more — two in Lok Nayak Hospital and two in Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital — succumb to injuries.
13:06pm: The Delhi High Court hears the plea filed seeking an independent probe into the riots, filed by Harsh Mander.
The bench, comprising of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Talwant Singh, asks a police officer present whether he has seen the videos of BJP leaders making inflammatory speeches. The officer responds in the negative, Justice Muralidhar orders that a clip of BJP leader Kapil Mishra leading a group of pro-CAA protesters, which led to the riots to break out, to be played in court.
Justice Muralidhar orders Kapil Mishra's clip to be played in court. @ThePrintIndia
— Apoorva Mandhani (@MandhaniApoorva) February 26, 2020
12:57pm: The Supreme Court posts the matter of Shaheen Bagh for hearing on 23 March, saying there is need for magnanimity and for situation in Delhi to cool down before it is taken up, according to PTI.
12:27pm: Police doesn’t have to wait for orders if someone makes inflammatory statements but act in accordance with law, says Supreme Court bench comprising of Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, reports PTI.
12:06pm: Solicitor general Tushar Mehta asks the Supreme Court not to make any adverse observations relating to Delhi violence as it will demoralise police force, reports PTI.
The top court responded, saying remarks are made not in adversarial context but to ensure law and order is maintained. It added that it has nothing against Delhi Police but is making remarks keeping in mind larger perspective.
SC says it has nothing against Delhi Police but is making remarks keeping in mind larger perspective
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 26, 2020
11:53am: The Supreme Court has termed the communal clashes ‘unfortunate’ but has refused to entertain pleas on them, reports PTI. The top court disposed applications relating to the communal clashes, saying it is for the High Court to take note of matter.
11:13am: “Situation ‘alarming’; Army should be called in,” says Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, reports PTI. NDTV and PTI report a rise in death toll to 20.
10:56am: Delhi High Court issues notice to Police Commissioner over Harsh Mander’s plea seeking judicial inquiry, deployment of Army, and compensation for the victims injured in the violence.
The matter will be taken up at 12:30pm by a Division Bench of Justices Muralidhar and Talwant Singh.
10:32am: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Delhi’s northeast district, including Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Maujpur and Gokulpuri Chowk to take stock of the law and order situation.
Delhi: Latest visuals from Seelampur area. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had visited the areas affected by violence in North East Delhi last night and had reviewed security arrangements in the area. #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/YJCycbBMD3
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
10:10am: The Delhi HC held an urgent midnight hearing and asked the police to ensure safe passage for some riot victims stuck in an injured condition. Read ThePrint report here:
In midnight hearing, Delhi HC asks police to ensure emergency treatment for riot victims
10:00am: Four bodies were brought to the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital from the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, taking the death toll to 17.
Delhi Police have been issued ‘shoot-at-sight’ orders in the northeast district. Section 144 has also been imposed. The CBSE board cancelled exams for centres in the area while schools are being kept shut. For more on what happened over the past two days, click here.
Well done, Kejriwal. Now, multiply the 1 crore by 24; and be ready for more.
Seed for Pakistan-II has already been sown. Anti-CAA protests are just a cover.
Have you already applied for the visa? Would be glad to see you go.
Are you calling it a “clash” between “pro and anti groups”? If there were fire arms brought to the area, it is a planned attack and not something spontaneous that erupted. You are too circumspect team The Print.
Unfortunate. One is referring to the response of the honourable apex court to so many things that merited its time and intervention.
The Apex court is a court in name only. It has become a branch office of the BJP. That probably is main reason for all that is going wrong in the country.