Delhi violence live updates | Death toll hits 23; HC wants leaders to be booked for hate speech:

[2/26, 16:08] Sekarreporter 1: Delhi violence live updates | Death toll hits 23; HC wants BJP leaders to be booked for hate speech: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-day-4-live-updates/article30919537.ece
[2/26, 16:08] Sekarreporter 1: Tension continues to simmer in and around northeast Delhi for the fourth consecutive day
Tension continues to simmer in and around northeast Delhi for the fourth consecutive day as the death toll in the clashes around the Citizenship Amendment Act rose to 20. Over 180 people have been injured.

In a late night development, the Delhi High Court ordered the Delhi Police to ensure safe passage of about 22 riot victims stuck in a “fairly small” hospital in northeast Delhi to a government hospital with better facilities. The court also ordered to ensure that the victims received immediate emergency treatment.
[2/26, 16:08] Sekarreporter 1: Here are the latest updates:

3.20 p.m.
An eyewitness account from Chand Bagh

This is the account of Chand Bagh resident Kashif Raza as told to Saira Aslam.

Brijpuri is very close to our location in Chand Bagh. Near a culvert in Brijpuri, there is a madrassa that was burned down on Tuesday evening between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

From our roof, I saw the madrassa up in flames. It is just 10-12 buildings away. Tear gas shells fell inside our lane so everyone had to step down from their terraces.

Across our street from Chand Bagh is Yamuna Vihar B Block. From the terrace, I saw hooligans walking on the street from one side, and police walking from the other. But there was no engagement. On Monday, again from the terrace we could see tear gas shells being thrown towards our area. Amid the smoke, we could also see policemen directing people to move forward.

Since Sunday, people have been standing guard outside the lane at night. I was out there guarding too. Three DTC buses full of people arrived on Tuesday, and they had all sorts of weapons with them. There were also police present. It was this group of people who were active all night. We were also vigilant. Today (Wednesday) a group of people began entering our colony at 12:50 a.m. but we chased them away. It happened again at 1:40 a.m. and then at 3 a.m. There has been no electricity since around 9 p.m last night.

My father-in-law went to get milk in the morning. There is a popular dairy in Yamuna Vihar called Raghav Dairy. There was a queue. Some 3-4 people suddenly came and started asking everyone their names. If you were a Muslim, they abused you and took you out of the line.

The main road seems to be functional now (at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday) and things seem to be easing. But we are still vigilant and cautious.

Farah Shamoon (wife of Raza)

People are alert and even last night, whenever they heard any yelling and shouting, everyone came out. There are some Hindu households in our area who have been supportive and have helped us in getting supplies like milk and other ration as all shops are closed and the only place where we can get these things are from Yamuna Vihar, where the locals are discriminating.

3.10 p.m.
Death toll rises to 23
Death toll in the Delhi violence in north east area continued to rise on Wednesday morning with the current count standing at 23 with 21 deaths reported from GTB hospital and two from Lok Nayak Hospital.

“We have bodies which have gun shot injuries on them. A committee/ board consisting of senior doctors is being formed at GTB hospital who will do the post mortem,” confirmed a senior health official at the hospital.

A total of 189 injured were also brought to the GTB hospital. Meanwhile information released by Lok Nayak hospital said that a total 44 patients brought here — 14 patients on 24th and 28 patients were brought on February 25 and two deaths have been registered.

3.10 pm
Delhi HC wants BJP leaders who made controversial remarks to be booked
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to advice the police commissioner on lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders in connection with the CAA violence.

A bench of justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh was hearing a plea seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests of those involved in the ongoing communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Human rights activist Harsh Mander had moved the court seeking to take action against those who incited violence. BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra made some provocative remarks during Delhi election campaign and afterwards.

2.45 p.m.
Modi appeals for peace and brotherhood
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed for peace and brotherhood, and said he has held an extensive review of the prevailing situation in various parts of the national capital.

He also said it was important that calm and normalcy was 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,” Mr. Modi tweeted.

Stressing that peace and harmony are “central to our ethos”, Mr. Modi said, “I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times.” – PTI

2.40 pm
Ajit Doval tasked to bring situation under control
Concerned over the deteriorating law and order situation in the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval the mandate to restore normalcy in riot-hit northeast Delhi where at least 20 people have been killed in the communal violence, officials said on Wednesday.

Immediately after taking over the assignment, Mr. Doval undertook a late night tour of the riot-hit areas on Tuesday accompanied by Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and newly-appointed Special Commissioner S.N. Shrivastava and other senior officers, they said.

2.30 pm
So painful to watch people of Delhi suffering: Kejriwal
Tweeting a media report on the death of IB official, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal said: “Such a tragic loss of life. The culprits must not be spared. 20 people have already lost their lives. So painful to watch people of Delhi suffering Praying that we recover from this tragedy soon n work together to undo damage done to people n communities.”

1.30 pm
Sonia Gandhi demands Amit Shah’s resignation
In a rare press conference, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for his failure to curb violence in north east Delhi.

Where was Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal since last Sunday, Ms. Gandhi asked. She said the Chief Minister must be visible in affected areas and have constant communication with people.

“The Congress working committee believes that the situation is grave. Adequate security forces must be deputed,” she said.

Ms. Gandhi recalled how the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would convene an all-party meeting at the time of such crisis. ” Unfortunately, ever since Modi government has come in as far as I know no such meeting has been ever called. It’s a sad fact but it’s truth,” she said.

1.15 pm
AAP targets BJP over Delhi violence
The Aam Aadmi Party blamed the BJP for violence in the national capital. The party’s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, in his Twitter handle, released a video of BJP MLA Abhay Verma’s march in east Delhi where “goli maaro” chants were heard.

“The BJP MLA and leaders who are inciting violence need to be booked. There is no place for violence in Delhi,” Mr. Singh said at a press conference. He wondered why Home Minister Amit Shah has not appealed for peace.

Delhi minister Gopal Rai said the only option was to bring in the Army normal and to protect the borders of Delhi. ” If the police acted when Kapil Mishra gave a speech inciting violence all this would have been avoided,” he said.

1.10 pm
GTB hospital to form committee to do post mortem
“We have bodies which have gun shot injuries on them. A committee/ board consisting of senior doctors is being formed at GTB hospital who will do the post mortem,” confirmed a senior health official at the hospital.

1.00 pm

12.40 pm

Delhi Police shares contact numbers of personnel at city hospitals
The Delhi police has shared contact numbers of police personnel who are at various hospitals for those desirous of seeking information on victims admitted following communal violence in the northeast part of the national capital.

At Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Sub-Inspector Gajender Singh can be contacted on 9818120026 for details.

Sub-Inspector Yogender Singh can be reached at 7982756328 for details of victims in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital and Maulana Azad Hospital.

Sub-Inspector Devender Singh is stationed at RML Hospital and can be contacted at 9818313342 to seek information.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Narender Rana can be reached on 9868738042 for those admitted at Al-Hind Hospital.

• PTI

12.30 pm

UN chief closely following situation in Delhi: spokesperson
UN chief Antonio Guterres is closely following the situation in New Delhi and stresses that demonstrators should be allowed to demonstrate peacefully and security forces should show restraint.

“I think it’s very important that demonstrators be allowed to demonstrate peacefully and that security forces show restraint. This is the SG’s constant position,” Secretary General Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the daily press briefing Tuesday.

When asked if the UN is monitoring the situation, Dujarric said “Yes, we’re obviously following it closely.”

• PTI

12.15 pm
Violence in Delhi colossal failure of Delhi Police: Chidambaram
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram described the violence in Delhi as a colossal failure of Delhi Police.

“Whether the violence erupted in East Delhi (MOS-Home) or spontaneous (MHA), the government has a duty to end the violence. The violence has continued since Monday and there are still incidents of violence. This shows the massive failure of Delhi Police,” Mr. Chidambaram tweeted.

12 pm
Incidents of violence “unfortunate,” but will not entertain pleas on them: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court, while terming the violence in norteast Delhi as “unfortunate”, refused to entertain pleas on them.

“Unfortunate things have happened. Should not have happened. But we will not expand the scope of the petition. It will look as if we are trying to take over… Too many ifs and buts in the interlocutors’ report,” said Justice Kaul.

SC says it is for law enforcing administration to ensure environment is conducive. Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta asked the Supreme Court not to make any adverse observations relating to Delhi violence as it will demoralise police force, to which the Court replied thatremarks are made not in adversarial context but to ensure law and order is maintained.

Judge K.M. Joseph says there was lack of professionalism on part of police.

11.45 am

Congress leaders to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan to seek normalcy in Delhi
Congress leaders will march to Rashtrapati Bhavan to seek normalcy and peace in violence-hit Delhi after its working committee meeting on Wednesday, party sources said.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi with former PM Manmohan Singh, and former Defence Minister A.K. Antony at the Congress Working Committee meeting at AICC HQ in New Delhi on Wednesday.

They will also submit a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind.

• PTI

11.40 am

Delhi violence like a horror film depicting anti-Sikh riots: Shiv Sena
Observing that the violence in Delhi is akin to a “horror film” depicting the grim reality of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday said the “bloodbath” has brought disrepute to the national capital like never before while U.S. President Donald Trump was in India with the “message of love“.

The editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana lamented that Mr. Trump was welcomed in Delhi while there was bloodbath on the streets.

It further said that the violence could potentially spread the message that the Central government has failed to maintain the law and order situation in Delhi.

“Violence has erupted in Delhi. People are on the streets equipped with canes, swords, revolvers, blood is being spilled on the roads. Some horror film-like situation is being witnessed in Delhi, which depicts the grim reality of 1984 riots,” the Sena said.

It further said the BJP was still blaming the Congress for the deaths of hundreds of Sikhs in the violence that was erupted after assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

“It does not augur well that Trump was welcomed in Delhi with the horror film of violence, bloodbath on the streets, screams of people, and tear gases. Trump saheb came to Delhi with a message of love, but what unfolded before him? ’Namaste’ in Ahmedabad and violence in Delhi. Never before Delhi was defamed like this,” the editorial said.

• PTI

11.30 am
HC tells CBSE to provide long-term plan to students regarding board exams
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said class 10 and 12 students, who have board examination centres in violence-hit northeast Delhi, need to be informed in one go about the schedule for the next 10-15 days and not on piecemeal basis.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher said the situation in northeast Delhi is getting worse and there have been more deaths and, therefore, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) needs to take a call for the next 10-15 days.

The court asked the CBSE to come with instructions about a long-term plan at 2.15 p.m.

11.20 am

Demanding action against violence, Jamia students protest outside CM Kejriwal’s residence
The students of Jamia Millia Islamia staged a protest outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to demand his action against the communal violence in northeast Delhi.

The call to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence post midnight was given by Jamia Coordination Committee, which comprises students and alumni from the varsity.

The students said they were allegedly detained and taken to Civil Lines police station. They also accused the police of using water cannon and force against them.

Police confirmed that they used water cannons to disperse the protesting students.

The varsity students were also joined by a group of Delhi University students.

• PTI

11.10 am

Death toll in northeast Delhi violence rises to 20
The death toll in northeast Delhi communal violence over the amended citizenship law rose to 20 on Wednesday, according to GTB Hospital authorities.

On Tuesday, the death toll was 13. “The death toll has risen to 20 today,” Medical Superintendent of GTB Hospital, Sunil Kumar, told PTI.

Earlier, at least four bodies were brought to the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital from the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, a senior official said.

Till last night, 150 injured were brought to the hospital, according to a senior hospital official.

11.00 am
Kejriwal wants Army to step in
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says he will ask the Centre to bring in the Army to quell the violence.

Arvind Kejriwal. File

Mr. Kejriwal’s tweet said: “I have been in touch wid large no of people whole nite. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence Army shud be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately Am writing to Hon’ble HM to this effect.”

10.55 am

Shaheen Bagh protesters not to vacate site till CAA is revoked
With the hearing pertaining to Shaheen Bagh likely to come up before the Supreme Court on Monday, women who have been on a sit-in since December 16, said they are not willing to vacate the protest site till the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is revoked by the Centre.

The apex court had earlier appointed advocates Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran as interlocutors to speak to the protesters about shifting to an alternative site while observing that the road blockade by them was depriving other citizens of their rights.

10.45 am
Police plaint against Rana Ayyub for posting “Delhi violence”
A Mumbai resident has filed a police complaint application seeking action against journalist Rana Ayyub for posting an “old” video purportedly of the Delhi violence, an official said on Wednesday.

The complainant Ramesh Solanki claimed the video was two years old, and it was posted by Ms. Ayyub “with an intention to spread hatred in the society and to add more fuel to the Delhi violence“.

In his complaint, which he filed online on Tuesday, Solanki (50) also uploaded a photo of Rana’s tweet and the twitter handle “@ranaayyub“.

A senior Mumbai Cyber Crime official said they will first verify facts before deciding to take any action, if needed.

Fact-checking website AltNews has, however, said that the video was indeed taken on February 25.

• PTI

10.40 am
Up in flames: firing, stone pelting continue… no policeman in sight
At 3 p.m. on Durgapuri’s 100 Foota Road — adjacent to Babarpur — in north-east Delhi, members of two communities clashed, pelted stones and fired gunshots with not even a single police officer in the sight for more than an hour.

Security personnel at a violence-affected area in north-east Delhi on Tuesday.

At the spot which was about a km away from Durgapuri Check Post, a group of men with faces covered and lathis in hand continued to throw stones and bricks at each other.

A group of people, sporting tilak on their foreheads, chanted “Jai Sri Ram and Har Har Mahadev” during the attack while another set of crowd abused them.

10.30 am

Grief and fury grip families which lost loved ones in Delhi clashes
Head constable Rattan Lal, who died in the violence in Delhi on Monday, was laid to rest on Tuesday in the presence of senior officers, including Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik. Lal’s family, which received the body at the mortuary on Tuesday afternoon, said he died of a gunshot injury.

The body was taken to Kingsway Camp, where the last rites were performed.

Editorial

Police must clamp down on the communal violence in Delhi
Communal violence in parts of Delhi, an earshot away from the nerve centre of the government of India, has claimed 13 lives and left over 150 injured. Mobs of pro-CAA demonstrators and anti-CAA protesters wielding sticks and weapons have taken over parts of the city and the Delhi police have proved themselves woefully inadequate at best and outrageously partisan and communal at worst, in responding to the situation. There was nothing abrupt or unexpected about the violence that erupted in the city’s north-eastern parts on Monday. This has been in the making for weeks.