Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi on Monday sought to allay apprehensions that there could be fresh communal flare-up in the national Capital during Muharram processions on November 4. Questions were raised after a stormy maha panchayat in Bawana area of Outer Delhi and reports of simmering tension in some parts of the city ahead of Muharram.
Bassi said adequate security arrangements are in place and steps have been taken in sensitive areas. “We are extensively on ground in sensitive areas. Senior police officials are in touch with local Aman Committees in these areas and leaders of both communities have been asked to maintain peace during Muharram processions,” the Police Commissioner said.
When asked about the recent flare-up, the police chief said, “Our eyes are on Bawana, Trilokpuri and other parts of the city, which are sensitive. We had information a month back about tension in Bawana and preventive steps were taken. We were in touch with the Peace Committee.” “I also appeal to the people to avoid spreading rumours. If anyone is found to be involved in such activities, they will be dealt with strongly,” he said.
In a related development, lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung also held a meeting with senior police officials at Raj Niwas to review the law and order situation in the Capital. The top brass of Delhi Police, Special Commissioner (law & Order) Deepak Mishra and Joint Commissioners of all ranges attended the meeting and apprised him of the situation.
During the meeting, Jung reportedly asked the top brass to ensure peace and harmony in the city at all costs. On Sunday, a maha panchayat was held in Outer Delhi’s Bawana area where local leaders objected to the route of the Muharram procession. Provocative speeches and slogans were made during the gathering. Although, an alternate route was chalked out with consent of both communities with police intervention, there have been reports of similar demands at meetings in other parts of the city like Mundka and Shiv Vihar (Kanjhawala).
Normalcy has still not returned to East Delhi’s Trilokpuri area where clashes had broken out on October 23. Central paramilitary forces have been deployed to assist Delhi Police for maintaining peace in the area. Tensions on Diwali night after a drunken brawl near a religious structure left around 70 people, including 56 policemen injured.
Bassi also said Delhi Police has collected evidence of those spreading rumours through WhatsApp and social networking sites, and has warned legal action would be taken against antisocials. The Police Commissioner said commando teams have also been deployed and the Special Branch (Intelligence) is in touch with people of both communities to avoid spreading rumours.