Trilokpuri clash brings back memories of October riots

As Kanwariyas marched from block 27, with some of them bursting firecrackers, it triggered a clash between two groups in east Delhi’s Trilokpuri on Saturday night and tension continued to simmer in the locality that saw communal violence in October last year.

Around 9 p.m., some young men dressed in saffron — celebrating the onset of their journey — carried out a procession and when some shopkeepers objected to the firecrackers and sloganeering, it was immediately given a communal colour and people gathered.

Eyewitnesses said a fight ensued, which soon turned into a bigger scuffle as men joined in on both sides. Locals claim the police used mild lathi charge to break up the fight and disperse the crowd. Shops were shut down and vendors evicted from the block to contain the tension.

Ajay Kumar, DCP (East), however, denied there was any communal tension in the area. “Trilokpuri is absolutely normal. There is no communal tension there,” Mr Kumar said. “We did not have to use any kind of force or lathicharge to disperse the crowd. The police presence in the area on Saturday was a routine affair and undertaken as a precautionary measure.” He, however, added that minor incidents of scuffle between two groups keep happening in the area.

“Ever since the riots, Trilokpuri has not been calm,” said area MLA, Raju Dhingan. “Police are to be blamed as they aren’t taking any stringent action against the trouble-makers.” Around 15 policemen guarded the block 27 all night.

People from nearby blocks gathered mistaking the fire crackers for firing and bombs. Abrar Ahmed, whose younger brother Israr Ahmed’s three-storeyed shop in the same block was gutted in fire in October, was present when the two communities gathered. “We immediately shut the shop fearing it will again be set on fire.” The shop next to theirs had a small fire and the memories of the October riots came back. “Fortunately, it was a small fire and it was put out by the locals. We all are trying our best to not let any of these incidents flare up.”

“The entire area has turned into a communal cauldron,” said Ramayan Singh, a fruit vendor at block 27. Setting his cart just next to the spot where young men were celebrating, when people gathered, he ran for cover leaving his Mangoes-laden cart behind. “What happened last night has cost me Rs.2,500.”

The saffron coloured papers with the ‘Om’ symbol printed on them, cut in rough triangles and strung around the Trilokpuri locality, are also a new thing for the residents. “It is for the first time that these rows and rows of triangular saffron-coloured papers have adorned the area,” said Mr Dhingan. Almost every one that the reporter spoke with said the same. “Some people are doing this deliberately to instigate the crowd. Earlier, the Kanwariyas would peacefully march from the area but only this time there’s so much fanfare and loud music.”

Residents said several such clashes had taken place since the riots. They said Saturday’s clash wasn’t the first since the area was rocked by communal violence two months ago. “Fear continues to loom over us. People from both communities are scared and cops are rough,” said Rakhi Gupta, a social activist in Trilokpuri. “Ever since the riots broke out, altercations between residents are common. Cops are called but they don’t register these cases.”

In October 2014, communal riots had broken out in Trilokpuri. The three-day spiral of violence had originated from a spot in block no. 20 before the festival of Dussehra, when some locals organised a ‘Mata ki chowki’ 50 metres from a mosque.