East Delhi tense after 'rumour' of man's death

Clashes erupted on Sunday night between locals and police in East Delhi -- with a mob torching a police booth and over half a dozen vehicles -- following the "rumour" of the death of a man who reportedly fell off his scooter at a police picket.

The rioting took place in Mayur Vihar Phase-III at around 7.30 pm. Police lobbed tear gas shells and used force to disperse the crowd. Some locals and policemen suffered injuries in the clash.

The violence came an hour after the man, who the police claimed was drunk, fell from his two-wheeler at a vehicle checking picket, when he was signalled to stop for not wearing a helmet.

Eye-witnesses claimed he ignored the signal and tried to flee, but a policeman tried to stop him and he fell down. He was then hit by a vehicle which was behind the scooter.

Police have denied these allegations.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he is undergoing treatment, a senior police official said.

Police said a "rumour" spread in the area that the victim died in the incident and enraged locals gathered near the police post, who clashed with the personnel.

The mob then went on a rampage, setting afire the police post and other vehicles, including buses and trucks.

A top Delhi Police official said that a rumour triggered the violence but the situation was brought under control soon. Adequate police personnel have been deployed in the locality.