Fresh violence broke out in parts of northeast Delhi with mobs pelting stones, vandalising shops and threatening locals on Tuesday, a day after seven people were killed in violent clashes over the amended citizenship law.
Smoke was seen going up in some places and streets, including in the epicentre of the trouble Maujpur, were littered with stones, bricks and burnt tyres, testimony to the spiralling violence and bloodshed that took on a communal taint on Monday and injured about 150 people.
Schools were shut with exams being postponed and fearful residents stayed indoors as the area smouldered with tension.
Prohibitory orders, banning the assembly of more than four persons, were imposed on Monday.
A car in flames near a vandalised fruit shop during clashes between anti and pro CAA groups, at Chand Bagh in north-east Delhi, Monday, February 24, 2020 PTI
A resident in Maujpur said he has seen a riot like situation such as this for the first time in 35 years. 'The area had always remained peaceful,' he told PTI, requesting anonymity.
According to police sources, 48 police personnel and 98 civilians were injured in Monday's clashes between pro and anti CAA groups at Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Chandbagh, Khureji Khas and Bhajanpura. Three firemen also received injuries while dousing flames in the area.
The death toll in the violence climbed to seven -- six civilians and Delhi police head constable Ratan Lal -- on Tuesday, a senior police official said. While Lal died of injuries sustained during stone pelting in Chand Bagh, it is not yet clear what killed the others.
With US President Donald Trump in the city, Delhi police ramped up security in the area. It is being assisted by paramilitary personnel.
Officials said police personnel are talking to local peace committees in a bid restore amity.
'Mischief-makers are being dealt with strictly on the spot,' a senior official said.
There have been no arrests yet.
Protesters throw brick-bats during clashes between anti and pro CAA groups, at Chand Bagh in Bhajanpura, in north-east Delhi, Monday, February 24, 2020 PTI
Union home minister Amit Shah called a meeting to discuss the situation in the national capital with lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and representatives of different political parties.
Kejriwal, who held a meeting with senior officials and MLAs of all parties to discuss the situation, asked people to refrain from violence and said all issues can be dealt with through dialogue.
'There have been complaints that number of policemen are not enough and police is not able to take action without orders from above. I will discuss it with the home minister,' he told reporters.
The chief minister also asked all hospital authorities to give best possible treatment to victims and asked them to stay on vigil.
He said there is a need to seal borders to prevent outsiders from coming and indulging in violence.
I have asked district magistrate to conduct peace meetings where people from all religions participate. I have asked MLAs to also participate in them,' Kejriwal said.
Five stations on the Delhi Metro's Pink Line were closed for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in the wake of the trouble.
Deputy commissioner of police (Shahdara) Amit Sharma underwent an operation on Monday night for the head injury sustained during the clashes.
Police have also banned carrying of weapons and printing, circulation of 'communally sensitive' material.
A delegation comprising members of the Jamia Coordination Committee, Jawaharlal Nehru Union Students' Union, Pinjra Tod, met senior police officials and deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia late on Monday night to raise concerns about the situation.
