Clash breaks out during Muharram procession in Delhi’s Nangloi

NEW DELHI: Tension gripped Delhi’s Nangloi area on Saturday evening after clashes broke out between the participants of a Tazia procession and Delhi Police personnel.

Thousands of people had participated in the Tazia procession on the occasion of Muharram. When one of the processions reached near Surajmal Stadium, some people tried to deviate from the prescribed route. This led to an argument between the police and the participants, and the police had to resort to lathi charge to control the crowd.

The participants got angry and turned violent, pelting stones at public and private vehicles. Multiple videos have surfaced where a group of youths are seen throwing stones at DTC buses and private vehicles. They also broke windows of DTC buses. Passengers looked terrified and rescued themselves somehow by hiding under the seats of the bus from continuous stone pelting. Several police vehicles were also damaged.

Six police personnel and six volunteers including five women volunteers sustained minor injuries while containing the situation, informed DCP (Outer) Harendra K Singh.

“To ensure the safety and security of passers-by on the road, which included women, children and motorists, the unruly mob was got dispersed by police with mild use of force, and order was restored immediately. The Tazia processions were subsequently peacefully conducted in the area as per customs and religious practices. Situation is normal. Traffic and movement of people is as usual,” he added.

The police swung into action and more force was called to control the crowd. Some policemen received minor injuries and were discharged after the treatment. Special Commissioner of Police, Sagarpreet Hooda visited the spot in the late evening. Two companies of armed police were deployed in the affected locality of the Nangloi. The police said the situation was under control till late night.

The police have appealed to the people to maintain calm and not to resort to violence. They have also urged people to cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order.

The incident comes a day after Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory in view of the Tazia processions that will be taken out across the city on the occasion of Muharram. The advisory said that commuters must avoid certain areas of central and east Delhi on Friday and Saturday. The police have also stepped up security in these areas.

The police have registered a case and legal action will be taken against the stone pelters.

Here’s how the events unfolded.

• The clashes broke out around 7:30 PM on Saturday.
• The participants of the procession were trying to deviate from the prescribed route.
• The police tried to stop them, which led to an argument.
• The argument escalated and the participants turned violent, pelting stones at the police and public vehicles.
• The police had to resort to lathi charge to control the crowd.
• Some policemen received minor injuries.
• The situation was brought under control by late night.

The police have appealed for calm and have urged people to cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order. They have also said that legal action will be taken against the stone pelters.

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