Guwahati: The state of Delhi once again saw communal violence after the 2020 riots which shook the capital. Violence broke out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in North-West Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area on Saturday.
Since the clash took place, the authorities have arrested 21 people including the “main conspirators” behind the clashes and one person who allegedly fired a bullet that hit a sub-inspector.
Moreover, police have also apprehended two juveniles in connection with the incident, reports said.
In videos of the violent clash, which have surfaced on social media, a man can be seen opening fire during clashes.
A total of nine persons were injured, including eight cops and one civilian. There were also reports of stone-pelting and arson during the clashes. Some vehicles were also torched.
Police have lodged an FIR under sections 147, 148, 149, 307, 120-B, 186, 353, 332, 323, 436, 34, and 427 of the Indian Penal Code and section 27 of the Arms Act at Jahangirpuri police station.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to two top Delhi Police officers on the violence in the Jahangirpuri area. Shah spoke to the Commissioner of Police and Special Commissioner (law and order) and directed them to take all necessary action following the Jahangirpuri violence
According to reports, a special cell of the Delhi Police Crime Branch has initiated an investigation into the matter and 10 teams have been formed.
After the violence in Jahangirpuri, security has increased outside JNU as well. Additional personnel of Delhi Police have been deployed in the security of JNU. 10 teams engaged in the investigation of the Delhi Police Crime Branch Special Cell conspiracy were formed.
It is also to be mentioned that, as many as 3,399 cases of communal or religious rioting in the country in the five years from 2016 to 2020, as per data provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The data showed that in 2016 there were 869 instances of religious violence; that number reduced the next year to 723. In 2018, there were 512 cases of communal riots and in 2019 there were 438 such cases. And in 2020, there were 857 religious riots.
