Three days of violence in several areas of the northeast Delhi that left 27 people dead and over 200 injured, was one of the deadliest in the national capital, almost 28 years after the demolition of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.
On Sunday, northeast Delhi residents woke up to sporadic violence and as the day progressed it turned nastier engulfing many areas, claiming lives and injuring several.
It strained the social fabric and destroyed the harmony, established by the people of different communities after the riots in the aftermath of demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992.
Security forces conduct flag march in different parts of Northeast Delhi. Visuals from Jafrabad and Maujpur areas. #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/CNxgUqb7iA
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
However, the unity among communities was reflected in their efforts to keep miscreants away by coming out to each other's security. In the Chand Bagh area, despite the incidents of stone pelting and lobbing of petrol bombs by mobs, the locals bonded together to save the Durga temple and the Jama Masjid that faced each other in the area.
Speaking to media, Shahe Muwazzam Ali, a Chand Bagh resident said, "We (Hindus and Muslims) have been living together peacefully for almost three decades in the area and have built a inter-dependent social living. How could we allow a mob to rip it apart."
Delhi Special Commissioner of Police SN Srivastava take stock of the situation in Northeast Delhi. Security deployed at various locations in the area. #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/N38uzAhW64
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
"When on Sunday 400-500-strong mob started moving towards the Durga temple, we, locals, formed a human chain to protect it," said Ali.
For Hindu and Muslim residents of Seelampur, Jafarabad, Chand Bagh, Maujpur and Kardam Puri it was three days of nightmare that claimed 27 lives and left over 200 injured, including security personnel.
Delhi: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval leaves from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik were also present at the meeting. #NortheastDelhi pic.twitter.com/2OtipMgPfe
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
The violence that erupted on Sunday probably stemmed from the growing friction among pro and anti-new citizensip law (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) activists and between supporters and opponents of the Narendra Modi-led government.
The impact of the three days of clashes was quite visible on the streets that were littered with stones, bricks, shattered glasses, burnt vehicles, and razed shops and houses by its sides on Wednesday.
However, all was not lost in the hatred spewed by some and violence perpetrated by some others.
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
Pointing to signboards, Kalama Ahmed Khan, a Chand Bagh resident, said, "You can see the buildings here have names of Hindus as well as Muslims. By standing united and forming a human chain, we prevented the mob from attacking the religious place.
"The miscreants wanted to damage the temple, fuel distrust among the communities and put the blame on Muslims. But we, both Hindus and Muslims, stood like a wall and didn't allow them in the area."
Delhi: CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia interact with the local residents in the sensitive areas in #NortheastDelhi, to take stock of the situation there. pic.twitter.com/pkYEgP9f1y
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
While the temple and the mosque could be protected from any harm, the miscreants went on rampage and torched shops and other establishments facing the road, and a petrol pump and several houses on the other side of the road that in Bhajanpura.
Vijay Singh, whose liquefied petroleum gas (PLG) agency razed, said a 3,000-strong mob attacked the showrooms and shops on Sunday evening. "We heard the noise and provocative slogans being raised by it. We shuttered the showroom, went upstairs and locked ourselves there," he said.
#UPDATE National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, after visiting sensitive areas of #NorthEastDelhi, has reached Home Ministry to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. https://t.co/Mq05qXcIld
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
It had happened after almost 30 years when the riots hit other areas of Delhi, he said. "Since then we were living cordially in the area. The fresh wounds will take years to heal," he said.
The story in Maujpur and Jafarabad was no different where mobs of miscreants roamed the streets with iron rods, hockey sticks and other implements trying to rip the social fabric and disturb the communal harmony.
After three days of horror, normalcy started limping back in the Kanda Market area of Maujpur.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval: My message is that everyone who loves their country - also loves their society, their neighbour. Everyone should live with love and harmony with others. People should try to resolve each other's problems and not increase them. https://t.co/ry9mk0b2vY
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
Speaking to press, a local resident said, "A few shops have reopened on Wednesday. But the people are scared amid rumours making the rounds." His fear was apparent when he refused to disclose his name.
However, the locals could be seen interacting and enquiring about acquaintance and the situation in the neighbouring areas.
Rahul Tyagi, a Maujpur resident, said, "We are living here together for a long time. We stood by each other's side and prevented miscreants from making serious damages in the inner parts of the area."
Delhi: Congress leaders and workers participating in 'peace march' stopped at Janpath Road. They were heading towards Gandhi Smriti. pic.twitter.com/LSaAAhmTo6
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
To restore normalcy, Hindus and Muslims in the Brij Puri area took out a peace march raising slogans 'Hindu Muslim bhai bhai', challenging vested interests to dare damage the social fabric marked by trust and harmony and woven with patience and respect towards all.
No violence, 18 FIRs registered, 106 held: Police
Eighteen FIRs at various police stations had been registered and 106 people arrested under various sections over violence in northeast Delhi that erupted on Sunday, the Delhi Police said on Wednesday.
Delhi: Congress leaders and workers participating in 'peace march' stopped at Janpath Road. They were heading towards Gandhi Smriti. pic.twitter.com/LSaAAhmTo6
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
Addressing the media, the Delhi Police spokesperson said no untoward incident was reported on Wednesday. Two telephone numbers -- 22829334 and 2282935 -- have been activated to help citizens. They will remain operational for 24 hours.
They would work along with the emergency number 112, he added.
The Delhi Police spokesperson said, search for perpetrators of violence was on and CCTV footages were been scanned to identify the accused.
He said drones were used to monitor the areas. The police forces were also removing bricks and stones from rooftops of buildings in the area.
He is 19 year old Vivek of my own area Johri Pur which is situated near a 🅱️slim dominated area Mustafabad/Chand Bagh/Shiv Vihar.
— Sudhir Pandey (@sudhirpandey851) February 26, 2020
He was attacked with this electric motor on his head.
I know him personally,he is admitted in GTB Hospital and now he is serious😥😭#DelhiRiots2020 pic.twitter.com/SpBH8mPNuo