The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered Delhi Police to take all necessary action to ensure a peaceful Eid in Uttam Nagar, which has seen polarisation after a murder on Holi and subsequent hate speeches.
Hearing the plea filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya told the police that security arrangements in the area should be in place till Ram Navami.Â
When the hearing began, Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, appearing for the petitioners, said multiple rallies and assemblies were organized after the murder where provocative speeches were delivered, calling for violence against Muslims. The Court then asked the police on security arrangements undertaken.
The police counsel said he would not like to read out the arrangements in open court but said the area has had Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployment since early this month. The forces would be there even after Eid though the situation is normal.
ASG Chetan Sharma said the police handled the situation well. He said 800 CAPF personnel comprising four companies, apart from district police, are there.
Reacting to the submission on CAPF deployment, Ramakrishnan said incendiary speeches were made in a park in the area on March 15 asking people to assemble and kill Muslims despite police presence.
ASG Sharma objected to this, following which the court requested Ramakrishnan to show some restraint while noting the presence of security forces.
CJ Upadhyaya noted the police have deployed personnel and some 50 inflammatory posts on social media have been taken down, and peace meetings have been held in the neighbourhoods in question. The judge said Eid is celebrated to rejoice and public life should not be disturbed by hooliganism by anyone or any section of society.