Delhi Violence LIVE Updates: Army Should be Called in, Says Kejriwal as Death Toll Rises to 20; Spl Commissioner Reaches Seelampur

SC Slams Police on Delhi Violence | During the hearing of Shaheen Bagh case in Supreme Court, the bench, while speaking on the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi, has said -- "The problem is lack of professionalism of police, and their lack of independence. If the police acts completely in accordance with the law, many of these problems would not take place." The Supreme Court said that "if someone makes an inflammatory remark, police will swing into action but not otherwise.

Flag March in Northeast Delhi | Flag marches are being conducted at various areas of northeast Delhi, News18 reports. One is taking place at Kardampuri right now. 

Delhi HC Raps CBSE | The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said class 10 and 12 students, who have board examination centres in violence-hit northeast Delhi, need to be informed in one go about the schedule for the next 10-15 days and not on piecemeal basis.

Sena Says Delhi Violence Akin to '84 Anti-Sikh Riots | Observing that the violence in Delhi is akin to a "horror film" depicting the grim reality of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday said the "bloodbath" has brought disrepute to the national capital like never before.

Death Toll Rises to 20 | The death toll due to the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi has reached 20, as two more people succumbed to their injuries at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, reports News18. A total of 189 people are injured due to the violence.

Delhi HC Raps Police | Delhi High Court says the police need not wait for the Court's direction and it should take action on its own, to calm the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi. 

Arvind Kejriwal: 'Army Should be Called in' | Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that police was not able to control the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi, or instill confidence in the people. He said the Army should be called in, and curfew should be imposed in all the affected areas.

I have been in touch wid large no of people whole nite. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence

Army shud be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately

Am writing to Hon’ble HM to this effect

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2020

Delhi HC Hearing Today at 12.30 | Delhi High Court issued notice to the Commissioner of Delhi Police on plea seeking judicial enquiry, deployment of army, and compensation for the victims of violence. Meanwhile, the petition by the NGO Human Rights Law Network will be heard today at 12.30 in High Court. "Make sure a senior level police officer is present at 12.30 today," HC told a lawyer. 

Congress Holds Meeting Amid Violence | Amid continued communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi that has claimed 18 lives, the Congress top leadership started deliberations on the issue at a meeting of its working committee on Wednesday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and top leaders like Manmohan Singh, A K Anthony, Ghulam Nabi Azad, P Chidambaram, Priyanka Gandhi were present. However, Rahul Gandhi was not present as he is abroad.

'Took Kapil Mishra's Name While They Beat Me' | The man whose photo went viral, Mohammad Zubair, suffered multiple injuries in an attack during the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi. He said he had stepped out to buy sweets for his children when he was confronted by a mob wielding iron rods. The mob took BJP leader Kapil Mishra's name while they beat him, he said. Read his account here.  (Image: Reuters)

More Reports of Violence Against Journalists | Various incidents of violence against reporters are being reported in the media, since the violence which started in Northeast Delhi on Sunday night. While on Monday evening, a Times of India journalist narrated how people were being questioned on what community they belonged to, News18 reporters were also heckled yesterday, and forced to delete their pictures and videos in Maujpur.

I was heckled too at Gonda Chowk - the crowd said journalists Nahi JNU/Jamia se hai. I was lucky they didn't ask me my name or press card otherwise I don't know, or maybe I know what would have happened.

— ایرم آغا (@EramAgha) February 26, 2020

Warren Condemns 'Violence Against Peaceful Protestors' | US Democratic Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren has also condemned the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi, saying -- "It's important to strengthen relationships with democratic partners like India. But we must be able to speak truthfully about our values, including religious freedom and freedom of expression, and violence against peaceful protesters is never acceptable."

Police Uses Water Cannons on Jamia Committees | After the Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia (AAJMI) and Jamia Coordination Committee organised a demonstration outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, police used water cannons to disperse the crowd. People had gathered to demand action against the ongoing violence in various parts of Delhi. (Image: News18)

NSA Visits Northeast Delhi, Assures Safety | National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited the areas of Seelampur, Usmanpur, Jafrabad and Shahdara last night. Doval was there till 3 am, and the total deployment plan was discussed with him. He met with people from both communities and assured them full safety. Community leaders will be asked to sit together and work out solutions. The violence in Delhi will be discussed in cabinet this morning.

Stone Pelting at Brahmpuri-Mustafad | Stone-pelting is taking place at Brahmpuri-Mustafabad in Northeast Delhi, News18 reports. The ongoing violence in Delhi had stemmed a bit after 4.30 am in the night, but fresh reports of violence are now coming in, even as Amit Shah held three meetings in the last 24 hours due to the dismal situation. 

Latest Visuals of Northeast Delhi | Here are the latest visuals from Maujpur, Seelampur and Gokulpuri, some of the Northeast Delhi areas where violence has been ongoing. Many security personnel have been deployed here. 

Delhi: Latest visuals from Maujpur, Seelampur and Gokulpuri. Security personnel deployed in these areas. #NortheastDelhi pic.twitter.com/wPoPwsnDDH

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020

MP Manish Tiwari Says 'Delhi is Burning' | Condemning the violence which is taking place at Northeast Delhi since last Sunday, MP Manish Tiwari said on the day that US President Donald Trump was in Delhi, it was burning and "people were butchered".

State of National Capital

Day when @realDonaldTrump was in town
Delhi burnt.People were butchered.

Doors of Courts were knocked at midnight for safe passage

Not 1word of condemnation /solace from;@narendramodi,@AmitShah,@JPNadda

This is Gujarat Modelhttps://t.co/lzB7fzSaC2

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 26, 2020

US Lawmakers Express Concern | With India under the scanner from various international agencies for the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi, US lawmakers also condemned the same. Reacting to the violence that has claimed at least 18 lives now, US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said the "Democracies should not tolerate division and discrimination, or promote laws that undermine religious freedom. The world is watching."

This deadly surge of religious intolerance in India is horrifying. Democracies should not tolerate division and discrimination, or promote laws that undermine religious freedom. The world is watching. https://t.co/vZNsCfNbUZ

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) February 25, 2020

SN Srivastava in NE Delhi Right Now | IPS officer SN Srivastava has been appointed as the new Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Law and Order) after the Union home ministry repatriated him from the CRPF on Tuesday night. He is in Northeast Delhi right now, News18 reports. 

2 More Deaths Due to Violence | The death toll due to the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi has risen to 18, after two more succumbed to their injuries, reports News18. 

HC's Midnight Hearing Directed Safe Passage for Injured | High Court in a midnight hearing directed police to ensure safe passage and emergency treatment for people injured in Delhi violence. Justice S Muralidhar and Justice A J Bhambhani ordered for immediate evacuation of people from Mustabafad’s Al Hind Hospital, and for them to be moved to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, or other nearby hospitals, which had the facilities to treat them. Read more here.

CBSE Postpones Board Exams in NE Delhi | The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the board exams for Class 10 and 12 scheduled for today in the violence-affected northeast Delhi. There are 86 centres in northeast Delhi. While Class 10 students had English exam, Class 12 students had optional exams, including Web Application and Media.

Slums in Mustafabad Set Afire | Slums in Mustafabad were set afire at midnight amid the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi. The local MLA spoke to the DCP for assistance, while ambulances found it difficult to respond to calls of grievous injuries as they could not reach inside the area.

USCIRF Issues Statement Against Violence | United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued a statement against the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi. The organisation urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rein in mobs and protect religious minorities.

USCIRF is alarmed by reports of deadly mob violence targeting Muslims in New Delhi, #India and urges the #Modi government to rein in mobs and protect religious minorities and others who have been targeted. #DelhiViolence #CAAProtesthttps://t.co/MiUaDI2GnQ

— USCIRF (@USCIRF) February 25, 2020

Death Toll Rises to 16 | The death toll due to the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi has risen to 16, after 3 more people succumbed to their injuries at Lok Nayak Hospital, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, News18 reports.