Northeast Delhi calm; law enforcers urge vigilance against rumours

The situation in riot-torn parts of northeast Delhi remained peaceful this morning with residents gradually resuming the daily chores after coming to terms with the damage in four days of violence and arson earlier this week.

Security personnel are conducting flag marches and holding regular meetings with local people in a bid to assuage their fears. They are also urging residents to not pay attention to rumours on social media and report them to the police.

Shops have begun reopening even as the ban on gathering of four or more persons at one place remain in force.

Rapid Action Force personnel in riot gear continued to be deployed at sensitive localities, and work on clearing stones and bricks, burnt cars and tyres is on. 

Relatives of riot victims continued to wait outside the mortuary at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital to receive bodies.

The violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act in Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajan Pura, Yamuna Vihar areas of northeast Delhi has claimed at least 42 lives and left over 200 injured.

A large number of properties have been damaged. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel.

Sources said the Delhi government is considering to issue a WhatsApp number on which people can complain about hate messages being circulated on the instant messaging app.

They said the government will make an appeal to people to not forward any WhatsApp message because forwarding any material which causes enmity amongst communities in a move aimed at dealing with rumours on social media.