Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at a meeting on Tuesday, appealed to political parties to rise above party lines and maintain restraint, adequate forces had been deployed in the violence-hit areas of Delhi and that the situation was under control.
“Mr. Shah noted that the professional assessment is that the violence in the capital has been spontaneous. He expressed confidence in the Delhi Police and said the force has shown maximum restraint to get the situation under control,” a government statement said.
At the meeting attended by Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and others, the Home Minister urged the parties to avoid provocative speeches that could exacerbate the situation.
He also appealed to the public and the media to avoid spreading rumours and unverified information, also adding that unnecessary and unwarranted criticism of the police should be avoided.
The parties should cooperate with the police to check rumours and dispel fear among the public, Mr. Shah said, urging them to ask their representatives to hold meetings in sensitive areas.
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He instructed the police chief to re-activate local peace committees, comprising representatives of all sections of the society, religion and eminent local persons. Senior police officers would visit vulnerable police stations and special officers deployed in affected areas, he said.
The Home Minister said the borders of Delhi with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana were under surveillance for the last three days and the Delhi Police were taking adequate steps, in view of the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the Citizenship Law.
Among those present at the meeting were Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau chief Arvind Kumar, State chiefs of the BJP and the Congress, Manoj Tiwari and Subhash Chopra. Mr. Kejriwal also represented the Aam Aadmi Party.
The political parties extended all support in maintaining law and order. After the one-hour-long meeting, accompanied by Mr. Baijal and Mr. Tiwari, the Chief Minister told the reporters that the parties would take all possible steps to restore peace. He said the Union Home Minister had assured them of providing adequate security.
Mr. Kejriwal said one policeman was killed in the violence and 25 were admitted to two hospitals. Those present at the meeting expressed grief over the death of Head Constable Ratan Lal.
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The State BJP president said all the parties had come together to defuse the situation, while Mr. Chopra sought stringent action against all those, including the policemen, who remained mute spectators during the violence. He also demanded action against those who indulged in provocative speeches.
Currently, 42 companies of security personnel have been deployed in the affected areas.
