As violence erupted between protestors in East Delhi, a Delhi Police Head Constable, Ratan Lal, died, several others allegedly got injured, and according to reports, Shahadra DCP Amit Sharma lost consciousness.
The violence broke out between pro and anti-CAA demonstrators in Gokalpuri on Monday, 24th Feb 2020, when the two sides allegedly pelted stones at each other.
These events occurred in Jaffrabad and Maujpur areas and reports allege that protesters torched at least two houses and a fire tender. Police also used tear gas to control the mob.
Ratan Lala was deployed in the Maujpur area and he sustained a grave head injury, while allegedly trying to pacify the protestors during stone-pelting. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead, it was confirmed by GTB hospital’s, Mr. Rajesh Kalra.
Reports claim that DCP Amit Sharma’s car was set on fire and he lost consciousness due to an injury during the clashes; he has been admitted to Max, Patpadganj and he is said to be stable now.
Section 144 has been imposed in North-East Delhi. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed the entry and exit gates of Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave, and Shiv Vihar stations. Trains will not be halting at these stations.
“Entry & exit gates of Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave, and Shiv Vihar are closed. Trains will terminate at Welcome metro station” tweeted DMRC.
A video has also surfaced in which it seems like a man is opening fire at a policeman in the Jaffrabad area.
Kapil Mishra, who gave an ultimatum to Delhi Police to clear the roads within three days (else he will take action), and called a pro CAA rally near the protest site, on 23rd Feb, has tweeted today:
“I appeal to everyone that violence is not the solution to anything. It is for everyone’s good that brotherhood is maintained in Delhi. Be it CAA supporters or those against it, violence should stop.”
All the leaders urged the people to maintain peace, the requestees include Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi LG, Anil Baijal, Babarpur MLA Gopal Rai. Delhi CM also urged LG Baijal and Home Minister Amit Shah to restore peace while the LG instructed Delhi Police to take action.
The Delhi Police Chief, Amulya Patnaik, is in the control room and is closely monitoring the situation in the national capital.
While Police are trying to control the situation, the Supreme Court has given a new date, (26th February) to hear about the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The Supreme Court Judge Deepak Gupta had previously said “quelling or discouraging dissent has a chilling effect on democracy, and the government has no right to stifle a protest unless it turns violent.”
“Today in the country, dissent is seen as anti-national. The government and country are two different things. I see bar associations passing resolutions saying they will not appear as some matter is anti-national. This is not done. You cannot deny legal aid.”
“If some party gets 51% votes, does that mean the other 49% should not speak for 5 years…every citizen has a role to play in democracy…governments are not always right,” he added.