The ripples from Monday’s communal clash in Haryana’s Nuh has reached sector 70 in Gurugram, which is less than 20 kms from the national capital New Delhi. Several shops and shanties next to a residential complex were set on fire on Tuesday night.
Gurugram has imposed prohibitory orders after sporadic incidents of violence on Tuesday. Sale of loose petrol or diesel has also been banned to prevent incidents of arson.
On violence in the city, Gurugram Police said, “There have been some incidents of arson and skirmishes today. But there has been no major incident.”
The police also urged citizens not to believe rumours, and not give credence to reports on social media. “Messages being circulated on social media about schools, colleges, work stations being closed today are false. All traffic is running as usual, there are no restrictions,” says Varun Kumar Dahiya, Assistant Commissioner of Police – Gurgaon.
Some multi-national corporations, like American Express and KPMG, have advised employees to work from home today.
Violence broke out during a religious procession in Nuh on Monday — just 50 km from Delhi — following what many say is an objectionable video that went viral. As a mob attacked the procession with stones, the 2,500-plus participants rushed into a temple to take shelter.
The violence escalated as the evening progressed — a mosque was torched post-midnight, more than a hundred vehicles were torched and vandalised as mobs went on rampage in Nuh and neighbouring Gurugram.
Six deaths have been confirmed in the violence in Nuh district of Haryana, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said along with a renewed appeal to people to maintain peace in the State. The chief minister said that a total of 116 people have been arrested in connection with the violence on Monday in Nuh.
Clashes were also reported in several other Haryana districts. Rioting was witnessed in Badshahpur, 50 km from Nuh. Witnesses said a mob of around 200 had entered the area around 3 pm, armed with sticks and stones. They vandalised several shops, including several meat shops, and set fire to an eatery amid religious chant.
Schools and colleges in Sohna, which borders Gurugram, will remain closed today.
Delhi has also sounded an alert with police carrying out enhanced patrolling and using drones to monitor sensitive areas. A Delhi Police officer said the force is prepared to respond to any situation arising in the national capital as a result of such incidents in neighbouring areas.
