Fourteen people have been arrested so far in connection with violence in DELHI’S Jahangirpuri area on Saturday evening, according to a senior police officer. Deputy commissioner of Delhi Police (north west) Usha Rangnani first said nine people were arrested and nine others injured in clashes between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession. An hour later the police confirmed five others had also been taken into custody, and said one of the accused – who had fired a pistol – had also been arrested. The pistol used in the commission of the crime was recovered from his possession, police added.
The clashes broke out around 5.30 pm Saturday and each community has since blamed the other. The sequence of events was then muddled further after videos circulating on social media suggested various versions and events.
Hindustan Times could not independently verify the videos.
Residents said clashes broke out primarily in three blocks of Jahangirpuri with residents from the Hindu-dominated G and H blocks on one side and those from the Muslim-dominated C block on the other.
Residents of both sides said ‘outsiders’ were involved.
Mastan, a resident of C block, said processions had been going on since 1.30 pm but they were peaceful. However, one that passed at 5.30 pm incited violence.
“The group, all outsiders I believe, were raising slogans derogatory to our community. They said we’ll have to chant ‘Ram Ram’ if we stay in India… then a few men entered C block mosque and began to hoist saffron flags.
