Jhangirpuri rioters’ Antecedents Being Probed In WB

With Delhi police probing in West Bengal antecedents of the prime accused arrested for Delhi’s Jhangirpuri riots, The Supreme Court of India has ordered the continuance of stay of the demolition drive by the municipal authorities. ASI Suresh Kumar of the Delhi Crime Branch said the probe is being carried out in cooperation with the Mahishadal Police station. The Court issued notice on a batch of petitions highlighting the conduct of demolition drives in Jahangirpuri. It also directed the petitioners to disclose on affidavit whether they were served notices before the demolition drive. The case will be resumed for hearing after two weeks. Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave told the Court that the case involved far-reaching questions of constitutional and national importance. A particular section of society was being targeted through the demolition drive, he said. Meanwhile, after  Wednesday’s demolition drive by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation in which eight police personnel and a civilian were injured, the Delhi Police said that the situation in the area is normal and under control. However, there was a heavy security presence with all senior police officials being present on the spot to avoid any untoward incident. In the morning, before the demolition drive started, the personnel of the Delhi Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Reserved Armed Force (RAF) in hundreds were deployed in the area. Around 8:30 a.m. the police also carried out a flag march in the area to maintain law and order while the anti-encroachment drive began at around 10.40 a.m. Dependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, said that the police in large numbers were there to only provide protection to the civic agency while they carried out the demolition process. There was the adequate deployment of security forces and we were also in touch with the citizens of the area to maintain peace,” he added. Though the demolition process stopped after the SC’s stay order but heavy security forces deployment continued in the area to avoid any untoward incident. Police said that drones have also been deployed to monitor the situation. A Congress delegation was on Thursday barred from meeting the riot affected people. Edited by PK Chakravarty. Picture courtesy: News 18