In a significant development, Delhi Police successfully identified the key accused in the Jahangirpuri communal clashes and stone pelting and arrested ‘shooter’ Sonu Chikna alias Imam alias Younus.

A fresh incident of stone pelting was reported from Jahangirpuri on Monday afternoon, two days after a communal clash broke out in the area during a Shobha Yatra on Hanuman Jayanti, the police said.

Stones and bricks were thrown from a roof, close to the site of Saturday’s clash and the Police and Rapid Action Force officials blocked off the area after the incident. DCP (northwest) Usha Rangrani said one person had been detained.

“A video was being circulated on Sunday on social media showing a man (in blue kurta) opening fire during the riot in the Jahangirpuri area on April 16. A Police team from the northwest district had gone to his house in CD Park Road to look for him and to question his family members. The family members pelted two stones on them in retaliation. Legal action is being taken. One person has been detained and the situation is completely under control now,” she added.

Entry to the road was blocked off by police, RAF and CRP following the incident in the afternoon. There’s also heavy security deployment, including RAF and CRP in riot gear, in and around Kushal Chowk.

The stones were thrown near the entry of the narrow lane in which the family’s home is located. Following this, security personnel in riot gear sealed entry into the lane and slowly pushed all media personnel outwards to Kushal Chowk and sealed the main road with barricades.

So far, 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles have been apprehended for their involvement in the riots.

Delhi Police commissioner Rakesh Asthana said Monday that action will be taken without bias against all those found to be involved in the communal clashes in Jahangirpuri on Saturday. “We will take action against whoever evidence of involvement is found during investigation—irrespective of religion, creed, caste, and community,” said Asthana while addressing the media.

Clashes broke out on Saturday allegedly after an argument during a shobha yatra organised to mark Hanuman Jayanti in Jahangirpuri. Asthana denied the allegation that the violence erupted after saffron flags were installed at a mosque in the area. “A minor argument led to the violence in the Jahangirpuri area. The theory of saffron flags being installed at a mosque is not true,” said Asthana.

Image source: The Indian Express