Police complicit in Northeast Delhi riots: Violence-hit people to civil society groups

Civil society and human rights organisations recorded testimonies on Monday of more than 30 riot-affected people, who alleged that police gave protection to mobs and threw tear gas shells at unarmed residents.

The communal violence in northeast Delhi on February 24-25 has left at least 53 people dead and more than 200 injured.

Many riot-affected people questioned the Delhi police's ability to maintain the law and order and to bring normalcy back in riot-affected areas.

"We called the police many times, but they never returned the calls, or simply humiliated us on the phone and said they cannot help," a riot victim said. "Most told us to run away and that they are unable to reach us."

Many complained that medical help arrived too late due to police barricades, and when the victims went to the hospitals, they were not given a dignified treatment.

 

"The violence started around 6 pm and people were physically checked to see if they were Hindus or Muslims," Sahil Parvez, a resident of Yamuna Vihar who lost his father in the riots, told a tribunal comprising members from the Alliance Defending Freedom, Aman Biradari, Amnesty International India and the Muslim Women's Forum.

"My father was shot in the lungs, but before we could reach hospital, he had die," Parvez said. "I have no faith left in the police system."

There were others who narrated how their houses were looted or loved ones killed in front of their eyes.

Haroon's brother Mahroof, who was shot in the eye, succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.

Kamlesh Uppal, a resident of Shiv Vihar, said her house was burnt by rioters when she and her husband were away.

"We had gone to our son's place and were returning when we learnt about the riots," she said. "We took refuge at our daughter's house and while we were there, we learnt that our house had been looted and burnt."

Shehzad had stored gifts and Rs 2.5 lakh cash for his daughter's wedding at his home in Garhi Mendu village but everything was looted and his house torched by rioters.

"They made us chant 'Jai Shri Ram' and let me and my wife escape. But they burnt our house and looted our workshop," he said, as he broke down.