MHA monitoring North East Delhi situation closely

Taking stock of the situation in the violence-hit North East Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with top Home Ministry officials. According to sources, Amit Shah is closely monitoring the situation in the North East Delhi following clashes between pro and anti-CAA protestors.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday took stock of the prevailing situation during a meeting with top Home Ministry officials at North Block. Sources said that Shah is closely monitoring the situation in North East Delhi following a clash between two groups over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

CRPF director general AP Maheshwari on Thursday briefed Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on the prevailing law and order situation in the area even as security forces are doing flag marches in sensitive areas of violence affected places.

Meanwhile, home ministry officials said that based on professional assessment, 73 Companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in the violence-hit areas since Monday, in addition to 40 Companies of Delhi police.

The violence that rocked the entire nation has so far claimed 35 lives with more than 200 injured.

Sources in the Home Ministry said that the alleged involvement of AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in the violence is under examination following the recovery of petrol bombs and bricks from the terrace of his flats in North East Delhi.

Tahir came under scanner after the families of slain IB official Ankit Sharma alleged Tahir's role in the death of Ankit.

Newly appointed special police commissioner (law and order) SN Srivastava said that the situation was returning to normal.

He said that police are registering cases. However, no untoward incidents have been reported from any parts of Northeast Delhi since Wednesday.

Police said that PCR calls from Northeast Delhi have also reduced.

Officials said that more than 100 firemen have been deployed in the area and all four fire stations in the area are provided with extra fire tenders to meet any kind of emergency situation.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry is likely to impose restrictions on the movements of media persons inside the ministry after certain media reports over Delhi violence contradicted the government claims.

Reports, as published in a certain section of media, has claimed that there was shortage of Delhi police personnel to stop the violence. It was, however, denied by Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik. Meanwhile, Delhi police have registered 18 FIRs in connection with the violence and around 106 people have been arrested.