NSA Ajit Doval Takes Charge of Northeast Delhi, Briefs Amit Shah

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who has been put in charge of restoring normalcy in the violence-hit parts of Delhi, again visited the area this evening to review security and interacted with locals there. "Inshallah, there will be peace here," he told reporters. Mr Doval later met and briefed Home Minister Amit Shah, who the NSA said, had instructed him to visit the troubled areas.

"Situation is totally under control. People are satisfied. I have confidence in law enforcement agencies. Police is doing its work," the NSA Ajit Doval said.

Mr Doval walked along with a convoy of police officials in Jafrabad, one of the worst-hit areas since Sunday. 27 people have died and over 200 injured in the clashes over the contentious citizenship law in the last four days.

Mr Doval, in Jafrabad, was confronted by a girl, who told him, "I am a student, we can't sleep at night, we are not fighting, I can't go to study." To which, Mr Doval responded, "You don't have to worry. This is the responsibility of government and the police." When the student asked Mr Doval to take strong step as the "police are not doing their job", Mr Doval assured her, "I give you my word".

The NSA then briefed the home minister about the current law and order situation and steps taken to bring back normalcy there, a home ministry official said. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director of Intelligence Bureau Arvind Kumar and Commissioner of Delhi Police Amulya Patnaik attended the meeting.

The move to put NSA Doval in charge of restoring peace in northeast Delhi has raised eyebrows since the Delhi Police reports directly to the Home Minister.

Before he took stock of the situation on the ground this evening, Mr Doval held a meeting with Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Law and Order) SN Srivastava, who was appointed to the post last evening, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Satish Golcha and Deputy Commissioner of Police Northeast Ved Prakash Surya.

Sources say Mr Doval reviewed the security arrangements and enquired whether there had been any new incidents of violence.

There was fresh violence this morning with reports of arson and stone-throwing. A battery shop was set on fire in Bhajanpura area. The shop was vandalised and burnt batteries were strewn on the road, according to news agency PTI.

Late last night, Mr Doval had visited Seelampur, Jafrabad, Maujpur and Gokulpuri Chowk, which saw violence. "People were doubting the capabilities and intentions of Delhi Police. This needs to be addressed. People need to trust the man in uniform," he had told NDTV.