Two juveniles among 23 held in connection with Jahangirpuri violence

Firearms, swords seized from accused

A day after communal clashes broke out in Northwest Delhi’s Jahangirpuri, the Delhi Police on Sunday said that it has arrested 21 persons, 16 of whom are Muslims, in connection with the case and booked them under sections of rioting and criminal conspiracy.

Police also said that two juveniles have also been apprehended. Officers said three firearms and five swords have been recovered from the accused persons.

The accused persons, all residents of Jahangirpuri, have been identified as Zahid (22), Anshar (35), Shahjad (33), Muktyaar (28), Mohd. Ali (22), Amir (22), Akshar (22), Noor Alam (28), Md. Aslam (22), Zakir (22), Akram (22), Imtiyaz (29), Mohd. Ali (27), Salim (and Ahir (35). All the accused were presented before a Delhi court on Sunday. Police said Anshar, Aslam, the prime accused, and Salim have previous criminal involvements.

Police said that they have recovered a pistol from one of the accused persons, Mohd. Aslam, which he had used in the commission of crime.

DCP(Northwest) Usha Rangnani said a case has been lodged at Jahangirpuri Police Station under various IPC sections pertaining to rioting, arson, criminal conspiracy and under section 27 of the Arms Act. The case has now been transferred to the Crime Branch.

The DCP added that nine persons, including eight police personnel and one civilian, were injured in the violence and were subsequently treated at a nearby hospital. “One Sub-Inspector (SI) sustained bullet injuries. His condition is stable,” the DCP said. The SI was identified as Meda Lal.

On Saturday evening, clashes broke out in the area between members of the Hindu and Muslim communities while a ‘Shobha Yatra’ to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti was being taken out in the area.