Delhi Violence: 3 More Bodies Recovered, Death Count Rises To 45

Three more bodies were recovered from riot-hit North-East Delhi’s Gokalpuri and Bhagirathi Vihar canal. The violence in Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajan Pura, Yamuna Vihar areas of northeast Delhi has claimed at least 45 lives and left over 200 injured. A large number of properties have been damaged. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel.

However, the situation has remained peaceful with heavy police deployment in the areas which witnessed communal riots. Security personnel have been holding regular talks with locals to maintain communal harmony. "The situation is under control now. There is adequate force deployed in all the areas of the northeast district. We are holding talks with locals and are trying to rebuild confidence in them," a senior police official said.

Soon after taking charge on Saturday, acting Delhi Police chief SN Shrivastava said his priority is to restore peace and ensure communal harmony in the national capital, which earlier this week witnessed its worst riots in three decades. Shrivastava was given the additional charge of Delhi Police commissioner with effect from Sunday, following Amulya Patnaik's retirement.

Police have also started a massive outreach programme and senior officers have been meeting and speaking with people from every community in order to build confidence among them.

The political blame-game continues with both Congress and the BJp attacking each other over the riots. On Friday, senior Congress leader Kaoil Sibal said that, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi woke up after 69 hours and appealed for peace and calm in Delhi. He should have done it earlier. But Home Minister Amit Shah made no such appeal. The Home Minister should have visited the affected areas.”