Two communities clash in Tilak Vihar, over 11 injured
16 Aug 2013 5:36 AM IST
On a day when the nation was busy celebrating its Independence Day, a communal clash reportedly took place in west Delhi’s Tilak Vihar area.
The clash allegedly took place after a heated argument between members of the Sikh and Valmiki communities in the area. ‘On Thursday at around 1.40 pm, a heated argument broke out between people belonging to different communities,’ a source said.
‘Two boys, who reportedly belonged to the Sikh community, were passing through the Dalit Basti towards Block C of Tilak Vihar on a motorcycle. The duo’s bike reportedly hit a girl of the other community. Members of the Valmiki community protested against the incident. The protest turned violent after the boys were beaten up,’ said a source in
Tilak Vihar.
People from both communities gathered within no time and the scene turned ugly. ‘Though several calls were made to the police control room, the police team failed to reach the spot on time. At 4 pm, the station head officer of Tilak Nagar police station reached the crime scene along with his team. He opened fire in the air with rubber bullets to control the mob, allegedly injuring four persons,’ the source added.
‘The reason behind the violent clash is not known and investigation is on,’ a police officer said requesting anonymity.
Around 2,000 people participated in the violence that followed, 11 people including six police officers were injured, seven PCR vans including DCPs car were damaged. Six vehicles, including four bikes, were torched by the irate mob. The police post of Tilak Vihar was also attacked by the mob.
Five persons from the mob were injured out of which four were injured from the rubber bullets. while one was injured during the riot. The latter is reported to be critical. All 11 injured were taken to the nearby Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital and are undergoing treatment.
Police officers said various kinds of rumours about the cause of the clash are doing the rounds.
V. Renganathan, additional commissioner of police (west) remained unavailable for comments. Renganathan had himself visited the spot. His car had been attacked with wooden stick and iron rods.
Later in the day, Delhi police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat informed that the police department held a meeting with the members of the two communities and both have assured of not indulging in more violence and maintaining peace.
The clash allegedly took place after a heated argument between members of the Sikh and Valmiki communities in the area. ‘On Thursday at around 1.40 pm, a heated argument broke out between people belonging to different communities,’ a source said.
‘Two boys, who reportedly belonged to the Sikh community, were passing through the Dalit Basti towards Block C of Tilak Vihar on a motorcycle. The duo’s bike reportedly hit a girl of the other community. Members of the Valmiki community protested against the incident. The protest turned violent after the boys were beaten up,’ said a source in
Tilak Vihar.
People from both communities gathered within no time and the scene turned ugly. ‘Though several calls were made to the police control room, the police team failed to reach the spot on time. At 4 pm, the station head officer of Tilak Nagar police station reached the crime scene along with his team. He opened fire in the air with rubber bullets to control the mob, allegedly injuring four persons,’ the source added.
‘The reason behind the violent clash is not known and investigation is on,’ a police officer said requesting anonymity.
Around 2,000 people participated in the violence that followed, 11 people including six police officers were injured, seven PCR vans including DCPs car were damaged. Six vehicles, including four bikes, were torched by the irate mob. The police post of Tilak Vihar was also attacked by the mob.
Five persons from the mob were injured out of which four were injured from the rubber bullets. while one was injured during the riot. The latter is reported to be critical. All 11 injured were taken to the nearby Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital and are undergoing treatment.
Police officers said various kinds of rumours about the cause of the clash are doing the rounds.
V. Renganathan, additional commissioner of police (west) remained unavailable for comments. Renganathan had himself visited the spot. His car had been attacked with wooden stick and iron rods.
Later in the day, Delhi police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat informed that the police department held a meeting with the members of the two communities and both have assured of not indulging in more violence and maintaining peace.
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