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On 24 February 2020, a series of riots and violent incidents began at [[North East Delhi]] in which twenty one people were killed<ref name="Cabinet Security Meeting">{{cite news |title=Top Cabinet Security Meeting As 20 Killed In Delhi Clashes: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-number-of-deaths-rises-to-17-2185746 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Northeast Delhi Clashes: Paramilitary out in riot-hit northeast Delhi as toll rises to 13 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/paramilitary-out-in-riot-hit-areas-as-toll-rises-to-13/articleshow/74309772.cms |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=Times of India |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> and more than 170 people were injured.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb">{{cite news |title=7 Dead In Delhi Clashes; Government Rules Out Calling Army, Say Sources |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-over-caa-northeast-delhi-tense-day-after-5-killed-in-caa-clashes-amid-donald-trump-vi-2185146 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> Protests were ongoing against the issues of the [[Citizenship Amendment Act]], [[National Register of Citizens]] (NRC) and [[National Population Register]] (NPR) when a prominent BJP leader and former legislator [[Kapil Mishra]] issued an ultimatum to the protesters failing which he stated he would take matters into his own hands. Following his comments, multiple clashes occurred the next day in North East Delhi resulting in police and civilian deaths.
On 24 February 2020, a series of riots and violent incidents began at [[North East Delhi]] in which twenty one people were killed<ref name="Cabinet Security Meeting">{{cite news |title=Top Cabinet Security Meeting As 20 Killed In Delhi Clashes: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-number-of-deaths-rises-to-17-2185746 |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Northeast Delhi Clashes: Paramilitary out in riot-hit northeast Delhi as toll rises to 13 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/paramilitary-out-in-riot-hit-areas-as-toll-rises-to-13/articleshow/74309772.cms |accessdate=26 February 2020 |work=Times of India |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> and more than 170 people were injured.<ref name="Dead NDTV 25Feb">{{cite news |title=7 Dead In Delhi Clashes; Government Rules Out Calling Army, Say Sources |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-over-caa-northeast-delhi-tense-day-after-5-killed-in-caa-clashes-amid-donald-trump-vi-2185146 |accessdate=25 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> Protests were ongoing against the issues of the [[Citizenship Amendment Act]], [[National Register of Citizens]] (NRC) and [[National Population Register]] (NPR) when it suddenly took a violent turn to coincide with the visit of American President [[Donald Trump]] visit to India


== Background ==
== Background ==

Revision as of 11:18, 26 February 2020

North East Delhi riots
Date24 February 2020 – present
Location
North East Delhi, India
Caused byCitizenship Amendment Act
GoalsPreventing Citizenship Amendment Act protests
MethodsRioting, pogrom, arson, looting, murder, shooting
StatusOngoing
Lead figures
Casualties
Death(s)23[2]
Injuries189[3]

On 24 February 2020, a series of riots and violent incidents began at North East Delhi in which twenty one people were killed[4][5] and more than 170 people were injured.[3] Protests were ongoing against the issues of the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) when it suddenly took a violent turn to coincide with the visit of American President Donald Trump visit to India

Background

See also: Citizenship Amendment Act protests

Protests began across India in December 2019 in response to the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) by both houses of Parliament.[6][7][8][9] Protesters have agitated not only against the citizenship issues of the CAA, but also against National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR).[10] On the intervening night of 22–23 February 2020, around 500 to 1000 women protesters started a sit-in protest at a stretch of Seelampur–Jaffrabad road, in North East Delhi. The protest blocked the entry and exit to the Seelampur metro station.[11][12] According to the protesters, the sit-in was in solidarity with the Bharat Bandh called by the Bhim Army and scheduled to begin on 23 February. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at the site.[13]

Incitement

File:Kapil Mishra (cropped).jpg
Three complaints have been filed against BJP leader Kapil Mishra for making provocative speeches and inciting violence.

On 23 February 2020, Kapil Mishra, a local BJP leader and former member of the Legislative Assembly, publicly spoke out in a rally against the anti-CAA protesters, in the presence of the DCP of North East Delhi district, Ved Prakash Surya.[a] Mishra tried to intimidate the police to remove the protesters from Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh areas in three days' time, threatening to take matters into his own hands and "not remain peaceful" in the event of their failure.[15][16] After the rally, Mishra himself posted a video of him threatening the police on Twitter. Within a few hours of Kapil Mishra's rally violent clashes started between the supporters and the people against CAA.[17]

BJP's East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir said "Kapil Mishra's speech is not acceptable" and asked for strict actions on the people responsible for violence regardless of which party they belong to.[17]

Three complaints (two police complaints for a report and one plea to the Supreme Court of India) have been filed against Kapil Mishra for allegedly inciting violence. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Corporator Reshma Nadeem filed the first complaint and the second was filed by Haseeb ul Hasan. The complaints alleged that Mishra had made inflammatory remarks publicly, inciting people and causing the violence. The police has taken no action against Mishra as of 25 February.[15]

Supreme Court Hearing

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan, along with former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah and social activist Syed Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, filed an appeal in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the police to file reports over cases of violence that occurred since the night of 23 February. His petition also accused Mishra of "inciting and orchestrating the riots".[18] The plea was filed through Advocate Mehmood Pracha, in an intervention in a matter relating to removal of protesters from the public road in Shaheen Bagh and is scheduled for hearing on 26 February.[19][20]

On 26 February, while hearing the issue, the Supreme Court criticized Delhi Police for not doing enough to stop the inflammatory speech and the violence. The court added that the violence could have been prevented if the Police had taken the necessary action on the people who incited violence. Justice K. M. Joseph said that in US and UK the police acts professionally according to the law, whenever incidents happen. The Supreme court did not entertain any plea on the Delhi incidents as the case is being heard in the Delhi High Court.[21]

Timeline

24 February

On 24 February 2020, violent clashes occurred at Jaffrabad and Maujpur in which one police head constable, Ratan Lal, and a protester was killed. It was initially reported that he died due to head injuries from a stone thrown at him in Gokulpuri. But according to the autopsy report, Lal had received fatal bullet injuries.[22] The pro-CAA demonstrators and anti-CAA protesters clashed with each other and stones were pelted from both sides. During the violence, several houses, vehicles and shops were vandalised. The police personnel used tear gas and lathicharge against the protesters in the Chand Bagh area to control the clashes.[3][23][24] Later, it was reported that four protesters had also died during the violence.[25]

Violence was reported in the areas of Seelampur, Jafrabad, Maujpur, Kardampuri, Babarpur, Gokulpuri and Shivpuri.[26][27] Section 144 (ban on assembly) was imposed in all the affected areas but the rioters were still seen active.[28][29][30]

Delhi Fire Service stated that it attended 45 calls from areas in northeast Delhi and three firemen were injured, on 24 February. While attending calls, a fire engine was attacked with stones, while another fire engine was set on fire by rioters.[20]

Response by the government

The law and order including police and public order in Delhi comes under Union Home Minister, Amit Shah

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the violence appeared orchestrated due to the US President Donald Trump's visit to India.[31] The Ministry also refused to bring in the army to control the riots and stated that the number of central forces and policemen on the ground were inadequate number. More than 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the area.[3]

25 February

Home Ministry meeting

In the morning, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal chaired an urgent meeting of all party MLAs from the violence-hit areas and senior officials. Several MLAs raised concerns on the lack of deployment of enough policemen.[20] The concerns were raised by Kejriwal in the subsequent meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal and senior police officials. The meeting concluded with decision to take all possible steps to contain violence. Kejriwal stated that Shah had assured the availability of adequate number of policemen.[20]

Further violence

On 25 February, stone pelting was reported from Maujpur, Brahampuri and other neighbouring areas. Rapid Action Force was deployed in the worst affected areas.[20]

A mosque in Ashok Nagar was vandalized and a Hanuman flag was placed on one of the minarets of the mosque. It was also reported that prayer mats of the mosque were burnt and torn pages from the Quran were strewn outside the mosque.[2] A mob sloganeering "Jai Shri Ram" and "Hinduon ka Hindustan" (India for Hindus) marched around the mosque on fire. Shops near the mosque were looted. According to the locals, the attackers were not the residents and had come to the locality from outside.[32] Another mosque was vandalised in Gokulpuri.[33]

At 3 PM in Durgapuri, both the Hindu and Muslim mobs clashed by pelting stones and shooting.[34] Police was not present in the area and arrived an hour later. The people in a mob had tilak on their foreheads, and shouted "Jai Sri Ram" and "Har Har Mahadev". Shops and vehicles belonging to the Muslims were torched.[34]

Among the injured, more than 70 people have gunshot injuries. People wielding sticks and iron rods were reported to be roaming on the streets in the areas of Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar in northeast Delhi.[3] At 10 PM, shoot at sight orders were given to police in the North East Delhi area.[20]

26 February

The number of deaths climbed to 23.[2] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a message on Twitter asking people to maintain peace.[35]

Attacks on journalists

Several incidents of mobs attacking journalists were reported during the riots. A journalist of JK 24x7 News was shot on 25 February while reporting in the Maujpur area.[36] Two journalists of NDTV along with a cameraman were thrashed by the mob, when they were recording the torching of a mosque in the area. One of the journalists received severe injuries. A female journalist of the same media team had to intervene and convince the mob that the journos were "Hindus" to save them from further assault.[37]

On 25 February, a photojournalist of The Times of India was heckled by the Hindu Sena members while taking pictures of a building which had been set on fire. The group tried to put a "tilak on his forehead" claiming that it will "make his job easier" as he could then be identified as a Hindu by the rioters. They questioned his intentions of taking pictures of the building on fire and further threatened him to remove his pants to show that he is not circumcised, as evidence of being a Hindu.[36] The reporter was later approached by another rioter who demanded him to prove his religion.[36]

Several journalists shared their experience with the rioters on Twitter. A journalist of the Times Now tweeted that she was attacked by pro-CAA and right-wing protesters. She said that she had to plead with the mob, who were carrying stones and sticks, to escape from the site.[36] Journalists of the Reuters,[38] the India Today,[39] the CNN-News18[40] too expressed their experiences and stated that they were abused and assaulted.[36]

The Hindustan Times reported that a motorcycle, which belonged to one of its photographers who was documenting the violence in Karawal Nagar, was set on fire by a masked mob. After torching the motorcycle, the mob threatened and abused him and seized the memory card in his camera. They asked for his official identity card and took a photograph of it before letting him leave the site.[41]

The Editors Guild of India issued a statement on 25 February in which it expressed its concern about the attacks on journalists and assault on freedom of the press. They urged the Home Ministry and the Delhi Police to investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.[42][43]

Plea in the High Court

A plea was filed in the Delhi High Court, seeking police reports and arrests of the people involved in the violence.[20] It was to be received for an urgent hearing on 25 February. However, the court stated that the plea would be heard on 26 February. The plea filed by activists Harsh Mander and Farah Naqvi also asked for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident, in addition to compensation for those killed and injured. It also requested for the deployment of the Indian Army to maintain law and order in the affected areas of Delhi.[20]

Safe passage for victims

On midnight at around 1 a.m. on 26 February, the Delhi High Court started hearing a plea to provide the safe passage to riot victims to reach their nearest government hospitals.[44] It was reported earlier in day that Al-Hind Hospital located in Mustafabad had been completely blocked by rioters, and so no injured victims could come or go to other hospitals.[45] In the midnight hearing, the court ordered Delhi Police to safeguard and help all victims to reach their nearest hospitals. The Bench has also directed the Delhi Police to submit a report of compliance, including information about the injured victims and the treatment offered. The same was to be placed before the court later when the matter was again taken up at 2:15 p.m. the next day.[46][47][48]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Previously, on 17 December 2019, violence occurred during the CAA-protests in the Seelampur area, in North East Delhi. On 3 January 2020, DCP Surya told media that adequate security personnel and proper security arrangements were in place in the Seelampur area and no further gatherings and violence were expected.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Action must against provocative speeches: Gautam Gambhir on Kapil Mishra inciting violence in Delhi". India Today. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Delhi riots: 23 killed as Hindu and Muslim groups clash". BBC. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "7 Dead In Delhi Clashes; Government Rules Out Calling Army, Say Sources". NDTV.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Top Cabinet Security Meeting As 20 Killed In Delhi Clashes: 10 Points". NDTV.com. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Northeast Delhi Clashes: Paramilitary out in riot-hit northeast Delhi as toll rises to 13". Times of India. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Ten killed in Delhi violence during Trump visit". BBC News. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Shaheen Bagh: The women occupying Delhi street against citizenship law – 'I don't want to die proving I am Indian'". BBC. 4 January 2020. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  8. ^ Bakshi, Asmita (2 January 2020). "Portraits of resilience: the new year in Shaheen Bagh". Livemint. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Shaheen Bagh residents brave the cold as anti-CAA stir enters Day 15". The Hindu. 29 December 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 January 2020. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Not bothered who wins Delhi elections, say Shaheen Bagh protesters". The Economic Times. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Jaffrabad anti-CAA protests: Over 500 women block road connecting Seelampur with Maujpur and Yamuna Vihar; Delhi Metro shuts station". The First Post. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Began with roses, ended with bullets: How CAA protests in Delhi unfolded". Hindustan Times. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Anti-CAA Protesters Block Seelampur-Jaffrabad Road, Cops Deployed". The Quint. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  14. ^ "No gathering expected, adequate security deployed in Seelampur: DCP Ved Prakash". Asian News International (ANI). 3 January 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Two complaints filed against BJP leader Kapil Mishra for inciting violence in North-East Delhi". DNA India. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Kapil Mishra warns cops: Clear road in 3 days... after that we won't listen to you'". The Hindustan Times. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  17. ^ a b ""Kapil Mishra's Speech Unacceptable": BJP's Gautam Gambhir On Delhi Violence". NDTV.com. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  18. ^ "In plea to Supreme Court, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad blames BJP's Kapil Mishra for Delhi clashes". Hindustan Times. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Plea in SC claims Kapil Mishra incited violence". IANS. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h "Delhi violence live updates: Shoot at sight orders issued in northeast Delhi". The Hindu. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Police let instigators get away, could've stopped clashes: Supreme Court pulls up cops over violence". India Today. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Delhi Violence: Police Constable Ratan Lal Died Of Bullet Injury, Confirms Autopsy Report". News Nation. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Head constable killed during clashes over CAA in northeast Delhi: Police". The Economic Times. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Cop Killed In Delhi Clashes Over CAA, Trump Due At 7:30 pm: 10 Points". NDTV.com. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  25. ^ Trivedi, Saurabh; Bhandari, Hemani (24 February 2020). "Policeman among 5 killed in Delhi violence over CAA". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  26. ^ "Delhi Violence Over CAA Protest LIVE Updates: Police uses tear gas to disperse crowds in Chandbagh as fresh violence erupts; Kapil Mishra's speech to be probed". Firstpost.
  27. ^ "Delhi violence: Capital remains on edge as 5 die in fresh clashes during Trump visit". India Today. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "CAA clash: Section 144 imposed in parts of North-East Delhi, Cops appeal for peace". Economic Times. 25 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ "Northeast Delhi Violence: Fresh Stone Pelting In Maujpur & Brahmpuri; Arson In Karawal Nagar". ABP News. 25 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "LIVE: Death toll rises to 11, High Court asks CBSE board to consider rescheduling exam for centres in northeast Delhi". ThePrint. 25 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ "Anti CAA protests in Delhi: Entire violence appears to be orchestrated, says MHA". The Times of India. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "Delhi Riots: Mosque Set on Fire in Ashok Nagar, Hanuman Flag Placed on Minaret". The Wire. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  33. ^ Khan, Fatima (25 February 2020). "'Never thought Hindu-Muslim riots are possible in Delhi, we've always co-existed peacefully'". ThePrint. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  34. ^ a b Bhandari, Hemani (26 February 2020). "Up in flames: firing, stone throwing continue... no policeman in sight". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  35. ^ "21 Dead In Delhi Violence, PM Appeals For "Peace, Brotherhood": 10 Points". NDTV.com. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  36. ^ a b c d e "One journalist shot at, two other reporters attacked by mob in Delhi riots". The News Minute. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  37. ^ "NDTV's Saurabh Shukla Shares How A Delhi Mob Attacked NDTV Crew". The NDTV. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  38. ^ Ghosal, Devjyot (24 February 2020). "Eventually, as the violence continued, it got too hot to work, and we pulled out". Twitter. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  39. ^ Pandey, Tanushree (24 February 2020). "This is a riot! Protesters from both sides heckling & thrashing media persons". Twitter. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  40. ^ Bose, Adrija (25 February 2020). "The walk from Jaffrabad to Maujpur wasn't one bit easy. We were heckled and abused". Twitter. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  41. ^ "HT photographer's motorcycle burnt". The Hindustan Times. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  42. ^ "The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement". The Editors Guild of India. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  43. ^ "Statement on assualt on journalist". The Editors Guild of India. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  44. ^ "In midnight hearing, Delhi High Court orders evacuation of injured from Mustafabad's Al-Hind Hospital". 26 February 2020.
  45. ^ "Delhi Riots: Give Injured Muslims Safe Passage, HC Directs Police in Late Night Order". The Wire.
  46. ^ "Hearing at 1 AM at Justice Muralidhar Residence: Delhi HC directs Police to provide safe passage to injured victims to Govt hospitals". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news.
  47. ^ "Delhi clashes: Cops 'didn't respond' to SOS, judges step in at midnight hearing". Hindustan Times. 26 February 2020.
  48. ^ "Delhi Riots : At Midnight Hearing, Delhi HC Directs Police To Ensure Safe Passage Of Injured Victims To Hospitals". LiveLaw News. 26 February 2020.
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