Death toll in Delhi violence rises to nine: Hospital authorities

The death toll rose to nine on Tuesday (February 25) in the violence over the amended citizenship law that has rocked northeast Delhi, GTB Hospital authorities said.

Four people were declared brought dead by doctors at the hospital and thirty-five injured people were also brought, the authorities added.

“Fifty per cent of those injured sustained bullet injuries,” a doctor at the hospital said.

On Monday, the violence claimed lives of five people, including Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal.

Related news: Shortage of forces led to violence aggravating: Delhi Police to MHA

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah was positive and all parties have stressed on restoring peace in the national capital.

“Meeting with HM Amit Shah was positive and it was decided that all parties will take steps to restore peace. The police are doing their bit and HM has assured that whatever force is needed, will be provided,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Shah too held a meeting to discuss the prevailing situation in the national capital after violence in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law left seven people, including a head constable, dead.

Related news: Ambulances blocked, injured taken to hospitals on bikes, vans in Delhi

With fresh incidents of violence being reported from northeast Delhi on a third consecutive day, Kejriwal urged people to maintain peace and stressed the need to seal the city’s borders to check the infiltration of protesters from bordering states.

Earlier in the day, while addressing the media after a meeting with MLAs of affected areas and concerned department officials, he said he has received reports that the police could not act due insufficient strength and lack of sufficient orders.

“There have been complaints that number of policemen are not enough and police is not able to take action without orders from above. I will discuss it with the Home Minister,” he told reporters.

Related news: Delhi police was waiting for orders during violence: Kejriwal

Referring to the deaths in the clash, Kejriwal said violence was not a solution and issues can be dealt through dialogue.

“All who were killed were our people, the people of Delhi and the country. It is them today, if the violence spirals further, it may be someone else tomorrow,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)