TRILOKPURI TENSE AS TWO GROUPS CLASH

Trilokpuri tense as two groups clash

Row Over Change Of Rs 500 Sparks Tension

Tension prevailed in east Delhi's Trilokpuri after two groups clashed over a monetary dispute on Saturday evening.

Miscreants started pelting stones and tried to give a communal colour to the tension.The situation, however, was controlled by the police through the Aman Committee formed after the riots that erupted in the area in October 2014.

Paramilitary forces have been stationed in the area and the local police have been asked to maintain a strict vigil for the next few days. Sleuths of the special branch are gathering intelligence about possible bids by miscreants to disturb peace in the area.

The incident took place in Block 32, which had witnessed violence two years ago.Two groups of gamblers got into an argument over change of Rs 500 in the afternoon. The elderly men of the area intervened and stopped the scuffle.

However, in the evening, a group thrashed the man who had gone to ask for change while he was buying vegetables in the market. Soon two groups formed and they began hurling abuses at each other with religious overtones. Six people were injured in the subsequent clash and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Saturday's clash reminded local residents of the 2014 riots. Residents shut themselves inside their houses as the police began a march in the area. “Both the groups started pelting stones at each other, leaving many injured. We were afraid that this would escalate into communal tension and vulnerable people like us would have to pay the price for someone else's quarrel again,“ said Meena, a shopkeeper.

“We were left with no option but to confine ourselves in our houses till the police assured us that there was nothing to fear,“ said Uttam Singh, a resident. Senior police officers said that many teams were rushed to Trilokpu ri as soon as they got a call about the clash.

“The mob not only pelted stones but also threw glass bottles at each other. Though the fight lasted for about 30 minutes, we did not come out on the streets for hours,“ said Kasif, another shopkeeper.

Even the Aman Committee members were not spared by the miscreants and were attacked when they tried to stop the brawl. “We are trying to make more youngsters a part of the committee as they are the ones who can connect with the youth,“ said Babu Ali, a member of the committee. “A rioting case has been registered and we are questioning a few suspects to identify the miscreants,“ said a senior police officer.

(Toi)