Delhi violence: Northeast Delhi remains on the edge after four days of violence.
With northeast Delhi on the edge with 35 dead and over 200 injured after four straight days of brutal violence over the citizenship law, 130 people have been arrested so far. Delhi Police sources said WhatsApp was used to organise goons from Uttar Pradesh and to identify areas to target. Over 50 phones have seized from the accused. Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel are patrolling the streets of the region amid reports of sporadic violence today. Reports of arson and unrest emerged from northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura, Maujpur and Karawal Nagar areas late on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made his first public statement, calling for "peace and brotherhood". Delhi Police has filed 48 FIRs and arrested 130 people in connection with the violence, which they say is now under control.
Here are the top 10 updates we know so far on northeast Delhi violence:
The number of deaths went up to 35 today after two bodies were found in a drain in Gagan Vihar-Johripur area.
A delegation of Congress leaders, led by Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, walked to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind. "We handed over demands to President Kovind in a memorandum. The centre and the Delhi government were mute spectators to the violence," Mrs Gandhi said. The Congress president had launched a broadside at Amit Shah on Wednesday, demanding he take responsibility and resign.
A furious Delhi High Court on Wednesday urged police to file FIRs against those making hateful and inflammatory speeches. The court's observation came after speeches made by four BJP leaders, including Union Minister Anurag Thakur and local leader Kapil Mishra (whose rally in northeast Delhi on Sunday afternoon has been accused of inciting violence), were played in open court, prompting Justice S Muralidhar to assert "the court would not allow another 1984 scenario". Justice Muralidhar has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The notification, based on a Supreme Court collegium recommendation on February 12, was issued late last night.
NSA Ajit Doval, who has been tasked with restoring law and order in the national capital, made a second visit to violence-hit areas on Wednesday evening. Mr Doval, who walked with a convoy of police officials in Jafrabad, one of the worst-hit areas, told reporters: "Inshallah, there will be peace here". Shortly before that he was confronted by a young girl who made an emotional appeal for help. "I give you my word," he told her. The decision to rope in Mr Doval has raised eyebrows given Delhi Police reports to Amit Shah.
PM Modi, making his first official statement since violence erupted on Sunday, said he had held "an extensive review of the situation (and) police and other agencies are working to ensure peace and normalcy". Calling for calm, he tweeted: "Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers to maintain peace and brotherhood. It is important that calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest."
Home Minister Amit Shah, under fire for failure to control the violence, has held multiple review meetings. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also issued a call for peace on Wednesday. Addressing the Assembly, Mr Kejriwal said neither Hindus nor Muslims would benefit from the violence and said: "Delhi now has two options: Either people can come together and help make the situation better or they can hit and kill one another". Demanding the Army be called in - something the Home Ministry has so far refused to do - the Chief Minister held outsiders and political elements responsible for the violence.
Among the deaths reported on Wednesday was that of Ankit Sharma, an Intelligence Bureau employee whose body was found stuffed in a drain in Jafrabad. Mr Sharma worked as a Security Assistant. He was allegedly attacked by a mob at Chand Bagh Bridge and beaten to death. After his body was recovered his father, Ravinder Sharma, who is also an IB employee, accused supporters of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party of killing his son.
Amid the bloodshed and the tragedy, stories of brotherhood and people of different communities and religions standing against the hate has lifted spirits. Midway between Jafrabad and Maujpur, one mohalla has emerged as a relative haven of peace.
The violence, which has left several neighbourhoods looking like war zones, also led to the postponement of CBSE board exams for a second straight day. Five exams - two for Class X and three for Class XII - had been deferred on Tuesday after appeals by students.
Government sources say the violence has been "orchestrated", as it came at a time when US President Donald Trump was visiting the country. Asked for his reaction to the violence, Mr Trump said it was "up to India" to deal with it". However, he did say the United States appreciated PM Modi's efforts to ensure religious freedom in India.
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