Seelampur Clash: 21 People, Including 12 Policemen, 6 Civilians, Injured; Five People Detained

Twenty-one people, including 12 policemen and six civilians, were injured in violence that erupted during a protest against the amended Citizenship Act in Delhi's Seelampur on Tuesday, the police said. According to a police officer, two FIRs have also been registered at Seelampur and Jafrabad police stations in connection with the violence.

Three personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) were injured, the officer said. Angry protestors torched several motor bikes, pelted stones at police personnel and damaged buses and a police booth in Northeast Delhi's Seelampur area.

The police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Plumes of smoke billowed from at least two localities as the standoff continued for around one-and-a-half hours. The police said later the situation has been brought under control.

Meanwhile, the BJP and the AAP joined ranks to appeal to the residents of Seelampur for peace. Cricketer-turned-East Delhi BJP MP Gautam Gambhir and Seelampur AAP MLA Haji Ishraq appealed to people to maintain peace and distance themselves from violence.

"I want to appeal to people to maintain peace and distance themselves from any kind of violence. Whatever your grievances, you may peacefully discuss it with the government. Do not be misled by any political party or any person," Gambhir said.

Ishraq, the local AAP MLA, too appealed for peace and urged people to peacefully register their protest.

"I am appealing to all the people to register their protest and convey their message peacefully," Ishraq said in a video message.

The Seelampur MLA urged local people against venturing out on main roads of the area to protest.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also appealed to the people to not indulge in any violence and hold demonstrations peacefully. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said people should maintain peace. 

(With PTI inputs)