Delhi Jahangirpuri Violence: BJP Behind Communal Flare-Up, Alleges AAP As 21 Arrested | Updates

Delhi Jahangirpuri Violence: Police said there was stone-pelting and arson during the clashes that left eight police personnel and a local injured. Some vehicles were also torched.

Rapid Action Force personnel patrol after violent clashes between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on April 16, at Jahangirpuri in New Delhi, Sunday, April 17, 2022. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday alleged that the BJP was responsible for the violence during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in northwest Delhi's Jahangirpuri.

The ruling party's reaction came after Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta remarked that the violence was a result of the Delhi government aiding illegal stay of Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants.

The BJP leader also claimed that one of the arrested accused in the violence was an AAP activist, news agency PTI reported.

Clashes broke out after stone-pelting incidents were reported from the Jahangirpuri area in the national capital on Saturday evening (April 16) during Shobha Yatra.

Several vehicles were vandalised by miscreants and police officials were also attacked in the incident.

As per DCP North-West Usha Rangnani, nine persons including eight police personnel and one civilian were injured in the incident. 

"One Sub-inspector sustained a bullet injury. His condition is stable," the DCP North-West informed, as reported by news agency ANI.

Here are the key updates pertaining to the case so far:

• AAP Blames BJP: In a statement, the ruling AAP mentioned that it celebrated Hanuman Janamotsav and took out a Shobha Yatra (procession) in Greater Kailash which saw "heartwarming" interfaith bonding and respect. "Why is it that such violence doesn't take place in AAP's events and only happens when BJP organises it?" it asked, as quoted by PTI.

The party pointed out that Delhi BJP president Gupta recently honoured and felicitated "eight goons who were arrested for vandalism and hooliganism" outside the residence of Delhi chief minister.

"Seeing how the recent events have panned out, it is clear that the BJP itself is behind the violence," the AAP alleged.

• 21 Accused Persons Arrested: The Delhi Police has arrested 21 people over the Jahangirpuri violence, including the "main conspirators" behind the clashes, PTI reported officials as saying on Sunday.

An accused who allegedly fired a bullet that hit a sub-inspector was among those arrested. Two juveniles have also been apprehended in connection with the incident, they said.

Police have also recovered a pistol from one of the accused-- Md Aslam (21), a resident of a slum cluster in Jahangirpuri's CD Park, which he allegedly used during the commission of crime on Saturday evening.

• Delhi CP Visits Injured Sub-Inspector: Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana last night visited Sub-Inspector Meda Lal of Jahangirpuri Police Station at his residence to know about his well-being. The Delhi Police chief assured him of all possible support from the department.

Meda Lal had sustained a bullet injury in the April 16 violence at Jahangirpuri.

Delhi CP Rakesh Asthana last night visited Sub-Inspector Meda Lal of Jahangirpuri Police Station at his residence to enquire about his well-being; assured him of all possible support from department

Meda Lal had sustained a bullet injury in April 16 violence at Jahangirpuri pic.twitter.com/azRZo0sF1k

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2022

• Measures To Maintain Law & Order: Drone patrolling, intensive rooftop surveillance in sensitive areas of Delhi, deployment of additional police forces, and meetings with Aman (peace) committee members were among the major measures taken by Delhi Police on Sunday to maintain law and order in the city.

Drone patrolling and foot patrolling was done in areas of Jamia Nagar, Jama Masjid, Sangam Vihar, Chandni Mahal, Jasola, Huaz Qasi among other communally sensitive areas, PTI reported.

• Police Deployment Continues:  Police deployment in Jahangirpuri continued on Monday, where stone-pelting incidents were reported.

Delhi | Police deployment continues in Jahangirpuri, where stone-pelting incidents were reported on Saturday (April 16) evening during a 'Shobha Yatra' procession.

Early morning visuals from the area. pic.twitter.com/j6L3G8jm3e

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2022

This Jahangirpuri incident is the first communal flare-up in the national capital since the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi which had left more than 50 dead and many injured.

(With Agency Inputs)