Haryana communal violence: VHP, Bajrang Dal activists protest in Delhi causing traffic jams

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal supporters take part in a protest march against the violence that erupted in Haryana`s Nuh district, in Noida, Wednesday, Aug 2, 2023. PTI Photo

Activists of Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests at multiple places in the national capital New Delhi on Wednesday against the communal violence in Haryana's Nuh and Gurugram, causing traffic jams in several parts of the city.

Police have also beefed up security at sensitive places in Delhi in the wake of clashes in neighbouring Haryana.

Protests by Bajrang Dal and VHP caused traffic jams at Vikas Marg which connects east Delhi to the central parts of the city.

Videos on social media showed Bajrang Dal supporters reciting Hanuman Chalisa near the Nirman Vihar Metro Station. Later, they tried to block Vikas Marg but were removed by police.

Police used drones to keep a watch on the situation.

In a tweet, the Delhi Traffic police said, "Due to protest at red light, Nirman Vihar Metro Station, today from 8 am, Vikas Marg to be completely blocked. Commuters coming from Ghaziabad or by Delhi-Meerut E-way and going towards ITO to take NH-24. Those coming from Vivek Vihar to take Nala Road for ITO."

Later, police said that traffic was normal at Nirman Vihar Red Light.

"Keeping in view the violence in some districts of Haryana, adjoining Delhi, elaborate security arrangements have been made at all sensitive places in Delhi and additional police forces have also been deployed where necessary. "Any attempt to harm Delhi's security and communal harmony will be dealt with strictly," the Delhi Police said.

Also read: Hindutva is not dharm, Bajrang Dal a 'group of goons': Digvijaya Singh

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said six people, including two home guards, have died in the communal violence in the state while 116 have been arrested.

He said that stray incidents of violence reported elsewhere after the Nuh clashes have been brought under control.

The injured have been admitted to various hospitals, including at Nalhar in Nuh and Medanta in Gurugram, the Haryana chief minister said, adding that 116 people have been arrested while a search was on to nab the other accused.

In a statement, Khattar said as per information so far, six people have died out of which two are home guards and four are civilians while several people have been injured.

The conspirators are being identified, he said, while promising strict action against the guilty and asserting that the security of common people "is our responsibility".

Apart from Haryana police personnel, 20 companies of central security forces have been deployed in the state. Three of them have been stationed in Palwal, two in Gurugram, one in Faridabad and 14 in Nuh, Khattar said and appealed to the people to maintain peace.

On Tuesday, Khattar had termed the Nuh violence "unfortunate" and said the attack on a VHP procession was "well-planned which pointed to a larger conspiracy".

"The attack was carried out in Nuh in a well-planned manner to disrupt the (Brij Mandal Jalabhishek) yatra. Police were also targeted, pointing at a larger conspiracy," Khattar had said in a tweet in Hindi.

Home Minister Vij had on Tuesday said someone "engineered" the violence in Nuh to disturb peace in Haryana. On Tuesday, authorities imposed a curfew in the district after the previous day's violence. (Agencies)