Day after Muharram clashes, Delhi police file fresh cases

More than 100 activists of Hindu outfits such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal gathered outside the Nangloi police station and raised slogans to demand action against the people who allegedly pelted stones on police personnel and damaged public property. They also submitted a memorandum to the police regarding Saturday’s incident which left six police personnel and six civil defence volunteers, including women, injured.

Even as the Delhi police registered three fresh cases in connection with Saturday’s clashes during a tazia (mourning) procession on the occasion of Muharram in west Delhi’s Nangloi, a minor round of stone pelting was reported on Sunday in the area between two communities. 

More than 100 activists of Hindu outfits such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal gathered outside the Nangloi police station and raised slogans to demand action against the people who allegedly pelted stones on police personnel and damaged public property. They also submitted a memorandum to the police regarding Saturday’s incident which left six police personnel and six civil defence volunteers, including women, injured.

A senior police officer said that when some 20-25 of these activists were going back, there was an incident of stone pelting. “They were raising slogans while going back which might have been provocative given the atmosphere. There was some stone pelting from both sides. Force was already deployed in the area so we brought the situation under control by blocking the road on both sides before it could turn into something big,” he said, adding that nobody was injured.

The officer said the crowd on both sides was also dispersed without using the force. “At present, more than 200 personnel are deployed in the area and the situation is under control,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer) Harendra Kumar Singh said three separate cases had been filed on the incidents that took place at the Surajmal Stadium, Nangloi Chowk, and near the Nangloi metro station, under various Sections of the IPC, including rioting and assaulting public servant, and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.

When asked, he said the police were still working to identify the suspects. “We don’t want to apprehend anybody unless we have proof of their involvement,” he said.

The DCP said the police were analysing footage of CCTV cameras installed on the route of the processions as well as several videos of the incident that surfaced on social media. Several teams were working to identify and nab the accused, he added.