Several lives could've been saved had Delhi Police dealt with riots 'efficiently': Kejriwal to PM Modi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning for the first time after taking charge for a new term in February, said he discussed last week's violence in the national capital and coronavirus scare during the meeting.

New Delhi:After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday for the first time after taking charge for a new term in February, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he informed the former that the violence that gripped northeast Delhi last week could have been averted if the police would have functioned as "efficiently" as they did on Sunday- a day before riots broke out - and demanded strict action against those responsible.

"Delhi witnessed extreme rioting on Monday and Tuesday night which was concentrated in one district. The way the police successfully averted riots on Sunday, had they dealt with the situation with similar efficiency on Monday and Tuesday, the violence could have been avoided and several lives could have been saved, " Kejriwal said while addressing the media post the meeting that took place at Parliament at around 11 am.

The Aam Aadmi Party chief further said that he requested PM Modi to take strict action against those responsible for the violence irrespective of their political affiliations.

"I requested him to ensure that those responsible for these riots - irrespective of which party they belong to, their religion, their social stature - shouldn't be spared, and strict action must be taken against them. This would send out a message that such actions will not be tolerated, " said Kejriwal.

He added, "PM Modi said that we must work together to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in future."

As many as 46 have died and more than 250 people have sustained injuries during the violence in several parts of northeast Delhi, and several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders including Kapil Mishra have been accused of making inciteful remarks amid widespread protests over Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA that led to the riots in the city.

Last week, the Delhi CM had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the clashes. The violence happened at a time when US President Donald Trump and his family were on a two-day visit to India.

The Delhi Police - which is under the central government - has arrested over 1,200 people over the four-day flare-up. A total of 369 cases have been filed, 44 of which are under the Arms Act.

Terming the meeting as a "courtesy call", Kejriwal said that he also discussed the spread of coronavirus in India and the duo decided to work together to contain the disease from spreading further.

"We also held deliberations on the spread of coronavirus in India. The first case was detected in Delhi followed by another one in Telangana. We decided that the central and Delhi government will work together to contain the spread of the disease, " said Kejriwal.