It allegedly started with a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri, an area of North-West Delhi. As the procession reached a mosque in the localitys C Block, a scuffle ensued between groups of people over sloganeering, even as police sought to maintain order.
The incident took place at around 6 pm over sloganeering, the local police said, but went out of control as the crowd started pelting stones among themselves.
300-350 people are said to have been part of the Shobha Yatra to mark the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested 21 people in connection with the violence, and two juveniles have been apprehended as well.
The accused were booked under various charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions.
The District Commissioner of Police for Shahdara district in East Delhi said that members of the Muslim community had welcomed the Hanuman Jayanti procession in the district with flowers and calm was maintained.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had written on Twitter on the incident.
‘The incident of stone pelting in the procession in Jahangir Puri, Delhi is highly condemnable. Strict action should be taken against those who are guilty. Appeal to all people- maintain peace by standing together (sic),’
‘Spoke to Honble LG. He assured that all steps are being taken to ensure peace and that guilty will not be spared,’ Mr. Kejriwal.
‘I appeal to everyone to maintain peace as the country can not progress without it. Central government has the responsibility to maintain peace in the national capital.’
The injured have been admitted to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in Jahangirpuri for treatment, as per a report by news channel NDTV.
Controversial BJP-leader Kapil Mishra commented on the situation saying ‘Jahangirpuri is an area known for illegal Bangladeshi settlers. It is necessary that they be identified, that their homes be bulldozed. Each hand that has picked up a stone or a petrol bomb today, such action should be taken that the hands can never be raised again,’ Mishra said.
Heavy deployment of security personnel will continue till the time normalcy returns, police officials said on Tuesday.
A ‘sophisticated’ pistol was recovered from a 28-year-old man who allegedly opened fire during the violence. A case has been registered against the accused – Sonu alias Yunus.