A number of Muslim households residing in Uttam Nagar’s Hastsal village, who HT spoke to on Tuesday, mentioned they had been planning to go away the locality till the scenario normalises, forward of the Eid-ul-Fitr competition this weekend. They mentioned that communal tensions and threats made by spiritual teams over the homicide of a 26-year-old man in a struggle between two households from completely different communities on the competition of Holi have left them fearful.
The Delhi Police, in the meantime, mentioned they’re holding conferences with residents and that no one they spoke to shared such plans.
Jameel Ahmad, 55, proprietor of Miya Ji restaurant, mentioned he and his household have lived in Uttam Nagar for greater than 50 years. “I’ve three youngsters and 7 grandchildren. We’re all scared as a result of now we have seenleaders say they’ll play ‘Khoon Ki Holi’. We now have nowhere to go.”
The preliminary clashes occurred on March 4 when an 11-year-old lady threw a water balloon that hit a Muslim lady, triggering an altercation. Tarun Kumar, 26, succumbed to accidents 4 days later. Police have arrested 14 folks and apprehended two minors in reference to the case. Round two weeks later, tensions between the 2 communities proceed to simmer, as threats proceed to pour in on social media too, in addition to protests and provocative speeches which have turn out to be a day by day staple right here, residents alleged.
Ahmad mentioned, “Spiritual leaders who visited throughout some condolence conferences threatened us. The homicide is just not a communal matter. They’ve at all times fought with one another. I’m scared that every one of us pays the worth for his or her (accused’s) errors. We live in peace, however outsiders are threatening us. We see movies and they’re scary. My youngsters hold telling me that we have to depart for Eid. Two households who dwell close to our home on hire have already left,” he mentioned.
Twenty-two-year-old Farzana, one other resident, who goes by a single identify, mentioned, “I’ve been residing right here for greater than 20 years, however it’s unusual when your neighbours don’t discuss properly to you. We don’t need to depart however Eid is particular for us and we are able to’t keep right here. There are threats of violence and assaults day-after-day. We don’t assist violence and don’t have anything to do with the case. We’re pondering of leaving for a number of days solely.”
Additionally Learn: Uttam Nagar case: Threats emerge towards Muslims forward of Eid
One other resident, Bilal Rajput, 47, who’s an advocate and whose household has been residing within the space for the reason that Nineteen Seventies, mentioned, “My neighbour, who my household has identified for over 50 years, informed me that two of his tenants left. I additionally know of a shopkeeper who left. Whereas we aren’t planning to go away, we are able to’t additionally deny that there aren’t any issues.”
He mentioned, “There are protests outdoors the metro station, parks and different public areas. There are barricades all over the place. One other neighbour, who’s a Hindu, informed me to remain secure as a result of even he’s scared. We’re all residing in worry.”
Delhi Police mentioned they’ve made sufficient preparations and have additionally held conferences.
Deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka), Kushal Pal Singh, appealed to residents to stay within the space and guaranteed of sufficient security preparations for the competition.
“We now have despatched greater than 22 requests to X and Instagram platform to take down provocative speeches and movies. Meta has already taken down a variety of content material. We’re additionally contacting the creators who posted these. Nearly all of them are from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and different states. No native is concerned. We now have held peace conferences and ensured folks from each communities that there shall be no violence,” he mentioned.
