In his first reaction to incidents of violence in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today 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," PM Modi tweeted. "Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times," he added.
Twenty-seven people have been killed and at least 200 injured in communal violence in northeast Delhi for the last few days.
On the other hand, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said, Union Home Minister Amit Shah must take responsibility for violence in Delhi and resign, hitting out at the government over the large-scale violence that has erupted in parts of northeast Delhi. "What was the Home Minister doing since last week? What was the Home Minister doing earlier this week? Why were the paramilitary forces not called in earlier when the Home Ministry saw the situation worsening," Mrs Gandhi said at a press conference at the Congress headquarters in the capital.
The violence-hit areas continue to remain tense, with police and paramilitary personnel on the ground. Late last night, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited areas affected by the violence and met with top police officers. Mr Doval visited areas such as Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Maujpur and Gokulpuri Chowk to take stock of the law and order situation.