Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwalon Tuesday briefed media after holding a meeting with MLAs and officials ofaffected areas of northeast Delhi that saw anti-CAA violence. Seven people andnearly 100 have been injured in clashes that happened in Delhi's northeastareas between anti and pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protesters.
Calling the on-going clashes'unfortunate', Kejriwal appealed to the people of Delhi to maintain calm.
"I appeal to all Delhites to maintainpeace. We are worried about the violence in northeast Delhi. Several policemenand civilians were injured and some lost their lives. Several houses were setablaze and shops were damaged. It is very unfortunate," said the ChiefMinister.
"MLAs of the affected areas informedme that there is a severe shortage of police force and police can't take actiontill they receive orders from the top. I have also asked District Magistratesto take out peace march with police in these areas," he added.
Kejriwal has asked hospital authorities to be prepared and provide quality medical aid to the injured. The fire department has been asked to coordinate with Police and reach the affected areas on time. Kejriwal also highlighted the need to seal the borders in order to control the violence. "In the meeting, the MLAs of the border areas have said that people are coming from outside. There is a need to seal the borders and do preventive arrests," he said.
Earlier, the CM tweeted that he is"very worried" about the prevailing situation in certain parts of Delhi andcalled an urgent meeting of all party MLAs of the violence-hit areas.
Heavy security has been deployed in the Maujpur area after stone-pelting was reported in the area today morning. Hundreds of protesters had gathered under the Jaffarabad Metro station on Saturday for a peaceful anti-CAA protest. The next morning was also peaceful till BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who has a history of making communal and incendiary comments, held a pro-CAA rally in the area. At the rally, he gave an "ultimatum" to the Delhi police to clear the roads in the area or else, he said, they would have to hit the streets.
In view of the violence, Section 144 has been clamped in the northeast district of Delhi. Police have said the order will remain in force for one month, till March 24. Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave, and Shiv Vihar metro stations remain closed due to the ongoing clashes.