The violence in Delhi is exploding— at least 10 dead, a mosque burnt, and journalists attacked is making rest of India anxious

• The riot in India's national capital is spiralling out of control.
• Latest reports indicate that a mob set a mosque on fire and attacked journalists too.
• The cops peg the death toll at 10 but unconfirmed reports cite a lot more victims.

In the shadows of US President Donald Trump's visit to India, parts of the country's national capital was set ablaze by rioters. According to latest reports, a mosque was set on fire (according to The Wire) and journalists were attacked by mobs.

When asked about the escalating violence in Delhi, Trump evaded the question saying he hadn't discussed the issue with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier in the day, some top leaders in Delhi including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Lieutenant Governor got into a huddle to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, 186 people have been injured while 10 have died in the violence in northeast Delhi which erupted on Sunday, according to Delhi Police spokesperson and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mandeep Singh Randhawa. However, unconfirmed reports from usually credible social media handles peg that the casualty could be a lot higher.



Randhawa also claimed that the situation is under control in Jaffrabad, Gokulpuri, Maujpur areas as the police and government are alert and security has been beefed up in the areas. He also denied media reports which said that the Delhi Police don't have enough police personnel to tackle the situation.

The Delhi Police also confirmed that 11 first information reports (FIR) have been registered and several arrests have been made. Additional police forces and paramilitary forces have been deployed while senior Delhi police officials are also present at the spot to tackle the situation.

The riots in Delhi were sparked on Sunday with an alleged clash between two sets of people, one that supported the country's new citizenship law that has already been passed by the Parliament and the other group that demands its rollback on grounds that it discriminates against the Muslims.

Leaders of the ruling dispensation at the Centre, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had threatened violence even before the clashes erupted. A day later, a 33-year old man by the name Sharukh, from the camp protesting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, opened fire on a policeman. Another policeman, 42-year old Rattan Lal succumbed to the injuries from stone pelting as the tension escalated.

Citizens of all hues were caught in the crossfire that continued on Tuesday (Feb 25) and journalists were attacked according to some personal accounts. A photojournalist was reportedly cornered and then let go after the rioters confirmed that he was a "Hindu".

The Delhi government under Kejriwal has sought the Central Board of Secondary Education to postpone the scheduled examination after declaring that schools will remain shut tomorrow.

The rest of the country is getting anxious too. Leaders of different political parties sought to end the violence and appealed for peace. "We are deeply disturbed and concerned about what & why is happening in Delhi. We are watching it. In our country there is no place for violence. We the people of India want peace and we appeal everyone to maintain peace," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.

A crisis like this also throws some heartwarming stories like these.


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