By IANS
New Delhi : Twelve persons were arrested Sunday on charges of rioting, arson and destroying public property a day after a 600-strong mob went berserk in Jamia Nagar in south Delhi, torching a local police post and injuring several policemen.
Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told IANS that one case each of arson and rioting was registered at the New Friends Colony and Sarita Vihar police stations, for which seven and five persons were arrested respectively.
Describing the situation in the communally sensitive Jamia Nagar as “under control”, he added that an additional company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed in the area.
A total of three companies were presently deployed in the area.
Some local people went on rampage Saturday after a bookseller alleged that a police constable, to remove his cart from the pavement, upturned it and books, including a copy of the holy Quran, fell on the road, causing its desecration.
The police spokesperson, however, added that the situation in the area was under control and the local peace committee with its 200 members had conducted a peace march for over two hours.
Bhagat said a total of 31 persons, including 21 policemen, were injured in Saturday’s rioting.
The injured policemen included three inspectors – the station house officers of the Lodhi Colony and Sarita Vihar police stations and additional station house officer of the New Friends Colony police station. They all have sustained fractures.
The condition of constable Shambhu Dayal was described as critical.