New Delhi: On the ocassion of Hanuman Jayanti, the national capital witnesed communal tension on Saturday, members of two communities clashed in Jahangirpuri area after stones were allegedly pelted at a Hanuman Jayanti procession.
Visuals from the clashes show huge groups of people on different sides of a road pelting stones at each other and quickly falling back as the police try to intervene. Local reporters claim several including cops were injured in the procession. All those injured have been admitted to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in Jahangirpuri for treatment.
According to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, clashes were also reported in several other areas. “The situation is being monitored. Additional forces have been sent to troubled areas and senior officials have been asked to stay in their respective areas to monitor the situation and supervise patrolling. Two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have also been deployed in and around Jahangirpuri. Two policemen have been injured but the nature of injuries can only be known after investigations,” he was heard saying a media interaction.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has condemned the stone-pelting and called for action against those involved. “Appeal to everyone to hold each others’ hands and maintain peace,” he said on Twitter.