Clashes erupted on Saturday evening in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area between members of two communities during a ‘Shobha Yatra’ taken out on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. Several people, including cops, have been injured in the ensuing chaos.

Stone pelting was reported after Shobha Yatra in the national capital on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. In the visuals from the incident site, plumes of smoke can be seen emerging. Several people were injured, including one shot at, in the Jahangirpuri incident.

Visuals from the clashes show huge groups of people of one community attacking the Hindus participating in the procession along with brandishing of swords. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said that it’s not just Jahangirpuri but other adjoining and sensitive areas have also seen clashes.

“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 told.

On Twitter, Mr Asthana said strict action will be taken against rioters and appealed to the people to not pay heed to rumours and fake news on social media.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Mr Asthana and Delhi Police’s Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Dependra Pathak. He directed them to take necessary action in wake of the violence and handle the matter sensitively.

All those injured have been admitted to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in Jahangirpuri for treatment. Delhi Police’s Public Relations Officer DCP Anyesh Roy said there was a ruckus during the procession and there have been reports of stone-pelting on participants of the procession, with some incidents of arson also reported.

“All our senior officers are at the spot and the situation is under control. Extra forces have been deployed. We are investigating which policemen have been injured,” Mr Roy said.

 

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