Union Home Ministry to ease ban on large gatherings in Delhi

With no big untoward incident having been reported in the national capital in the last 36 hours, ban on gatherings imposed under Section 144 is set to be eased for 10 hours on Friday (February 28).

The decision was arrived at during a meeting presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and Special Commissioner (Law and Order) SN Srivastava.

In the aftermath of the violence that claimed 38 lives besides injuring over 300 people, the Delhi police registered 48 FIRs. However, no FIRs were filed against BJP leaders for their alleged hate speeches. It is to be noted that the Delhi High Court were given 4 weeks’ time. On Wednesday, Justice Muralidhar sought an answer within 24 hours on the matter.

So far, 500 suspects have either been detained or arrested. Also, two Special teams have been formed to investigate serious offences.

With the Union Home Ministry encouraging “confidence-building” measures, Delhi police have begun conducting peace meetings with Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) and civil society groups.