Delhi: Days after violence, police patrol lanes, hold peace meetings with communities

Every few hours, a group of police officers walked the lanes and spoke to people about keeping calm in the face of any provocation. Police used microphones to make the announcements.

A Delhi Police spokesperson said 47 meetings have been held in Northeast Delhi. These included a handful of peace marches and meetings were held in Chand Bagh.

“We are trying to tell people that it’s in their best interest to remain calm and peaceful. A lot has happened in the last few days and it’s time to live with brotherhood. We are constantly appealing to them to not give in to rumours because there are miscreants who want to create a law and order problem,” said an inspector.

DCP (Crime Branch) Rajan Bhagat, who patrolled the area with 300 personnel, said: “For the last two-three days, we have held separate peace meeting with imams and pandits in Brijpuri and Mustafabad. The response has been good; people who were scared due to the riots are coming up and discussing their issues.”

Outside a school in Mustafabad, several people had lined up to meet the DCP. Among them was Yunus (35), whose departmental store in Brijpuri was vandalised during the riots.

“I want to reopen the shop and have already cleared everything. I want police to help me. Several shops that were shut earlier have been reopened because of police intervention. Those who vandalised the shop tore food packets and broke furniture,” he said.

Jafrabad, Khajuri Khas and Karawal Nagar saw police patrolling the streets, though no meetings were held.