Anti-CAA protests turn violent in New Delhi, 11 killed more than 150 injured

New Delhi: Protests being held in New Delhi, against the Citizenship Amendment Act, turned violent claiming 11 lives and rendering more than 150 people injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for a meeting over the issue and discussed necessary measures to establish peace. Curfew has been imposed at four locations in New Delhi and it is said that the situation is still sensitive in certain parts.

Anti-CAA protests were being held at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi. The Supreme Court had appointed mediators to hold discussions with the protestors. Locals in New Delhi were complaining that they were getting cornered due to the rising tensions over the matter and also the protestors. Against this background, tensions increased when the protestors blocked roads in northeast Delhi at Chanbagh and Maujpur, like Shaheen Bagh. Some people tried to hold protests in retaliation against the protestors. The tensions increased further due to this.

On Monday, the protests in Chandbagh, Maujpur and Jafferabad turned violent. The protestors resorted to arson and stone-pelting in some parts of Delhi. The situation became still more sensitive with this. The violence on Monday claimed the life of police Head constable Ratanlal.

Ten deaths have been reported so far in the violence. There have been incidents of stone-pelting on the police at certain places and the angry protestors targeted shops in the area. The Maujpur metro rail station had to be closed because of the violence. Locals claimed that an unidentified person fired four rounds at this place. The journalists who went to take the information regarding the violent incidents were also attacked and many journalists have been injured.

Against this background, the security situation in New Delhi has become grave and Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for an urgent meeting. Members from all the political parties were present for this High-level meeting. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to the people of Delhi to maintain peace. Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy expressed severe regret over the violence saying that such violence at a time when US President is on his India visit, maligns the image of the country. G. Kishan Reddy also warned that stern action would be taken against the perpetrators of violence.

Paramilitary forces have been deployed in New Delhi to prevent festering of the situation. Curfew has been imposed in those parts of Delhi, where violence had erupted. New Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik has warned that this should be followed and no one should try to take law in their own hands, or they will have to face very harsh actions. Whereas, the spokesman of the New Delhi police issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against the antisocial elements responsible for the violence. Reports are surfacing that drones have been pressed into service to keep an eye on the rioters.