By IANS,
New Delhi : The roads were mostly deserted, wary shopkeepers kept the shop shutters down and at least two schools in the area remained shut Monday, a day after large-scale violence erupted in Khoda colony in east Delhi resulting in the death of a person allegedly in police firing.
Police Monday claimed the situation was under control and there was no violence so far.
Two cases have been registered in two police stations – Ghazipur and New Ashok Nagar in Mayur Vihar phase III. The cases are of rioting, attempt to murder and arson, among others. Twenty-two people have been detained.
Sunday evening witnessed large-scale violence in Khoda colony, which is in Ghaziabad, and located across the road to Mayur Vihar Phase III, which falls under the jurisdiction of Delhi government. One person was killed and many people, including 15 policemen, were injured.
Reports that a person had been grievously injured at a police picket led an angry mob to torch several vehicles, including a bus, and a police post.
People at the spot alleged that one person was killed later in police firing and at least two injured.
Police are denying any death due to police firing.
Ghaziabad district police officials arrived at the site Monday.
Delhi Police have been maintaining that since Khoda falls under Uttar Pradesh, the police officials of that region should have been present to control the situation Sunday night.
Kerala School and Ryan International School, both in Mayur Vihar across the road did not open Monday, while two other schools, Mother Teresa and Salwan Public School reported around 50 percent attendance as parents were apprehensive about sending their wards to school.
Sanjeevan, an official of Kerala School, recounting the events of the previous evening, told IANS: “We were around 4-5 staff members holding a management meeting in the evening when we saw around 15 people shouting slogans, alleging that police had killed one of their people.
“We immediately shut the gates. More people began collecting outside and they started throwing stones and broke the school windows. We were trapped inside the school for three hours. The school has suffered Rs.6 lakh-worth of losses,” he said.
Devesh, owner of Shri Medical Store, had to shut his shop Sunday evening after he noticed an angry mob collecting. His shop is opposite the police picket where the motorcyclist was allegedly injured. Devesh is hoping he will be able to open his shop now.
Like him, many other shopkeepers in Khoda and adjoining Madhu Vihar have kept their shops – mostly grocery and meat shops – closed.
The area, a lower middle class locality, has narrow lanes with houses on either side. Police were not allowing journalists to enter the area to speak to the people.
An Uttar Pradesh police inspector claimed Monday that his personnel were inside Khoda colony on Sunday evening “controlling the situation”.
However, Delhi Police claim that Uttar Pradesh police were not to be sighted when the violence broke out.
A tea shop vendor, Balram, in his 50s, said the incident has hit his earnings. “A small mistake led to this huge thing and has affected everyone,” Balram told IANS.
Police clarified that a man riding a Honda Aviator scooty was asked to stop at the Khoda chowk picket Sunday evening.
“He was drunk. He was told to stop but did not and hit the picket,” said a police official. However, locals allege the man was hit on the head and was lying on the road in an injured condition for quite some time. The injured man is admitted to Guru Tegh Bahadur hospital.
“He is conscious and out of danger,” said a police office, adding that they were about to take his statement.
According to police, the police fired at the angry mob in self-defence as they were vastly outnumbered.
A total of 15 vehicles were burnt, including a low-floor DTC bus, 10 motorcycles, one tempo, and a small mini truck, said police. Besides, many chartered buses parked by the roadside had their windows smashed.