Nearly a week after two groups clashed in east Delhi’s Trilokpuri, the situation remains tense in the area and residents are worried that matters may become more volatile during Holi festivities on Friday.
On February 18, 26-year-old Vikas Kumar, a Dalit, was allegedly beaten up by four to five boys from a minority community in Block 20. Around 8 p.m. on February 20, people from the two communities started throwing stones at each other. Locals claim the incidents have not stopped though a curfew was imposed on Monday.
‘Tear gas used’
“Stone throwing begins daily after sunset. The situation was better on Monday as the police stopped it as soon as it started,” said Mohd. Imran, who runs a meat shop in the area. He alleged that tear-gas shells were used to bring the situation under control on Sunday.
However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Omvir Singh denied Mr. Imran’s tear-gas claim.
Sitting outside their homes and shops on Tuesday, the residents talked about the violence and the situation during Holi, which falls on a Friday this year.
“Holi is a day of drinking and making merry. We are scared of how people will act. As it is people lose control on Holi, and under current circumstances it is highly possible that the situation goes out of control,” said Santosh (36), a resident.
Most locals however believe that the violence is uncalled for as Mr. Kumar, who was beaten up, was attacked due to enmity.
“People from both communities live peacefully and take each other’s help when required. I don’t understand why they are clashing because of a personal matter between two groups of youths,” said Narayan Singh, a cable operator.
Naseem Bano (65), who has been living in the area since 1976, echoed the sentiment,“I’ve never felt unsafe here. In fact, if there’s tension in the area, people come and ensure I am safe and sound.”
However, retired government official Rajesh Kumar, who lives in Block 28, said the root of the problem is the simmering tension between the two communities.
‘Frequent trouble’
“No one talks about it but there is trouble every now and then. Six months ago, my 10-year-old grandson was ill-treated by a meat shop owner. We went to talk to him and the matter was resolved. Similar incidents keep happening but when something as big as beating of a Dalit man happens, the tension takes a violent form,” he said.
Sipping tea at a roadside stall, Laila Shah, one of the eunuch leaders of the area, said Trilokpuri has been her home for over 20 years but she wants to leave the area now.
“This violence is pointless but it’s happening and is disturbing. I am looking for a buyer for my house. I just want to leave,” she said.
Many traders in the area claimed their business had taken a hit since the incident. The markets in Block 27 and 28, where most incidents of stone pelting have taken place, are dominated by meat and grocery shops.
The shopkeepers said their earnings have dropped significantly over the past few days as the police makes sure that no establishment remains open after 8 p.m.
Dip in business
“Our daily income has dipped because of the situation. Officers come late in the evening and ask us to close our shops. We used to stay open till 10 p.m. at least. Also, because of the violence, people avoid coming to the area to buy anything,” said Pankaj Kumar, owner of a grocery shop.
An autorickshaw driver said that he, like many others, has stopped ferrying passengers to Trilokpuri.
Recalling the day when the first incident of stone-pelting occurred, he said he was ferrying a couple from the area to Mayur Vihar metro station and a stone hit his passengers.
