Fresh violence in East Delhi's Trilokpuri; 70 held, 5 shot at

Fresh violence erupted in Trilokpuri area of East Delhi on Saturday in which five people suffered gunshot injuries after which prohibitory orders were imposed and tension continued for the third consecutive day in the wake of a clash between two groups on Diwali night.

More than 70 miscreants have been arrested so far in connection with the incident and combing operations are on. Police advised the general public to refrain from visiting the area.

Residents of the locality have been fighting pitched battles since Diwali's night and have also pelted stones on security personnel which left at least 35 injured, including 13 policemen in the last three days. A number of vehicles belonging to locals and to policemen have been vandalised in the area.

Among the injured, five people suffered gunshot wounds. While locals claimed the bullets were fired by the police, senior officials said the shots were fired by miscreants.

"Four persons have received gunshot wounds but it was not fired by us. We are trying to identify who opened fire. Ten people were arrested in this connection yesterday while 60 nabbed today for rioting in the area. The situation remains tense but is under control," said a police official.

According to the police, 14 persons, including 13 policemen, were injured in last night's violence. 10 persons were arrested for alleged involvement in rioting. Adequate arrangements were made in the affected area to maintain peace.

Trouble erupted again on Saturday morning following sporadic incidents of stone-pelting in the area.

"Certain incidents were reported in some highly-congested blocks of Trilokpuri. Police had to use the required minimum force to deal with the situation and we have apprehended over 60 miscreants for rioting and arson. Five persons are reported to be injured due to gunshot injury," said a statement issued by Delhi Police.

Adequate police force has been deployed in the violence-hit area to prevent any further outbreak of trouble. Local Aman (peace) Committees have been activated for early restoration of normalcy, the statement said.

A heavy police contingent, along with Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force, has been deployed in the area. Over 30 PCR vans, water cannons and riots control vehicles were stationed in the area.

It all started when some youths belonging to two communities clashed on Diwali night in Trilokpuri's B-Block.

Locals claimed tension erupted over the establishment of a place of worship near another, over which two groups of youth had clashed for the first time on Thursday night.

The situation was brought under control by the police but clashes broke out again last night after which police used tear gas shells and resorted to use of force.

Intelligence Bureau and other agencies are also keeping a watch on the situation of the area. Senior police officials are camping in the area and additional force from neighbouring districts have also been deployed in the area.

Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Arvinder Singh expressed serious concern over the clashes in Trilokpuri and appealed to the people to maintain peace.

The DPCC, in a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner, has asked him to immediately restore peace and order.

Chief spokesperson of the party Mukesh Sharma said that as the news of the clashes reached them, party leaders spoke to top police officials to get complete details of the clashes and appealed to the police to provide people security and protection.

Image: RAF men patrol in Trilokpuri, New Delhi on Saturday, a day after a clash between two groups. Photograph: PTI Photo