Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Accuses Delhi Police Of 'Not Doing Enough', Blames Outsiders For Violence

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the cops of ‘not doing enough’ to control the violence in North-East Delhi. Addressing media after the emergency meeting at his residence, Kejriwal blamed the outsiders for the riots in areas such as Maujpur, Jaffrabad, Brahmpuri and Karawal Nagar. He said that hospital have been put on high alert. Kejriwal slammed the Delhi Police and questioned why adequate force was not deployed in the area. Briefing the media about the emergency meet of the Delhi government, Kejriwal said that, “the MLAs of the border areas have said that people are coming from outside. There is a need to seal the borders and do preventive arrests.”

Kejriwal further said that, “MLAs of the affected areas informed me that there is a severe shortage of police force and police can't take action till they receive orders from the top. I have also asked District Magistrates to take out peace march with police in these areas.” Meanwhile, Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in North-East Delhi for a month.    

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal issued an appeal for communal harmony on Twitter. ‘Am v worried abt prevailing situation in certain parts of Del. All of us together shud make all efforts to restore peace in our city. I again urge everyone to shun violence Am meeting all MLAs (of all parties) of affected areas along wid senior officials in a while (sic),” Kejriwal said on micro-blogging site. The Supreme Court will hear the matter of Delhi violence Wednesday.

Vehicles were set ablaze in Majupur and Karawal Nagar area. Stone-pelting by masked men was also reported from parts of North-East Delhi. Teams of the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force held flag march in the Brahmpuri area on Tuesday morning, news agency ANI said. According to the statement released by the Delhi Police, “the situation is very tense. We are continuously receiving calls related to incidents of violence from North-East Delhi. Commissioner of Police held a meeting at Seelampur DCP Office last night.” Th cops also gave details about the widespread incidents of arson. “We received total 45 fire calls since yesterday till 3 am today; 3 firemen got injured, 1 fire tender was set ablaze,” the statement added.

Government sources said the violence in the national capital appears to have been "orchestrated" by some for publicity as it comes at a time when Trump is visiting the country. They said Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik was stationed at the police control room and closely monitoring the situation.

On Monday, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla told reporters the situation in the national capital was fully under control and sufficient forces were deployed on the ground. Officials said at least eight companies (100 personnel each) of central armed police were present on the ground, besides the Delhi Police.

(With agency inputs)