Entry, Exit Gates Of 5 Delhi Metro Stations Closed Amid Violence In Northeast Region: DMRC

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited on Monday evening closed entry and exit gates of Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave and Shiv Vihar stations as violence broke out between pro and anti-new citizenship law in the northeast region of the city. Trains will terminate at the Welcome metro station.

Security Update

Entry & exit gates of Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave and Shiv Vihar are closed. Trains will terminate at Welcome metro station.

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) February 24, 2020

A Delhi Police head constable was killed and a deputy commissioner of police injured as clashes over the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act broke out again in northeast Delhi's Jaffrabad and Maujpur on Monday, with protesters torching houses, shops and vehicles, and hurling stones at each other.

Violence between groups supporting and opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was also reported in the Chandbagh and Bhajanpura areas.

This is the second day of clashes in the city where US President Donald Trump will arrive on Monday evening. The police fired tear gas shells and also resorted lathicharge to disperse the violent crowd of protesters.

Ratan Lal, a head constable attached to the office of the ACP Gokalpuri, was killed. Several police personnel, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Shahdara, Amit Sharma, were injured while trying to quell the protests.

The police also imposed section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits assembly of four or more people, in areas affected by violence in northeast Delhi.

There was heavy stone pelting in Maujpur, while police baton-charged to disperse protesters in Jaffrabad. Shops and houses were vandalised and set on fire in Maujpur and Bhajanpura.

A protestor was also seen moving towards a Delhi Police personnel with a gun in his hand. He shot a few rounds in the air. According to officials, a fire tender was damaged by the protesters after it responded to a fire call in the area.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Centre to restore law and order in the national capital. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has instructed Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to ensure the situation is brought under control.

"Very distressing news regarding disturbance of peace and harmony in parts of Delhi coming in. I sincerely urge Hon'ble LG n Hon'ble Union Home Minister to restore law and order n ensure that peace and harmony is maintained. Nobody should be allowed to orchestrate flagrations (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.

Taking to Twitter, Baijal said, "Instructed @DelhiPolice and @CPDelhi to ensure that law and order is maintained in North East Delhi. The situation is being closely monitored. I urge everyone to exercise restraint for maintenance of peace and harmony."

(With PTI inputs)