The Delhi Police has stepped up security in the wake of clashes in neighbouring Gurugram that saw a mob setting ablaze a restaurant and vandalise several shops. The situation has also prompted the authorities in Uttar Pradesh to increase vigil in the border areas of Mathura too.
A senior official with the Delhi Police said they were prepared to respond to any situation arising in the national capital, and the forces were monitor incidents in neighouring states that could affect Delhi.
Besides holding meetings with peace committees, the Delhi Police is monitoring social media as well. "Keeping North Delhi safe & serene! Police deploys cutting-edge drone survey to watch over the area, ensuring harmony prevails and public safety remains top-notch," the Delhi Police tweeted.
Police visibility has been stepped up in areas with mixed populations and sensitive places. Drones are also being used and foot patrolling carried out in many areas. Barricades are being placed at bordering areas. This comes as communal violence that began in Haryana's Nuh spilled over into neighbouring Gurugram, taking the death toll to five.
Uttar Pradesh
Special vigil is being maintained in the areas near Mewat in Haryana, said police officials. These include Kosi, Barsana and Govardhan police stations of Mathura.
Inspector General of Police Deepak Kumar told PTI that additional police force has been deployed in areas bordering Haryana and drone cameras are also being used to monitor the situation.
Officials have contacted people of bordering Kamar village and told them not to be misguided by rumours. "Peace committee meetings are being held in areas with a mixed population," district police chief Shailesh Kumar Pandey added.
Officials also assured pilgrims on Chaurasi Kos Parikrama of security since a portion of the route passes through Haryana.
Traffic curbs have been introduced and movement of vehicles towards Haryana beyond Hodal border has been stopped. However, there is no restriction on the movement of traffic towards Delhi.
Schools to reopen
The Gurugram district authorities announced that educational institutions ordered closed on Tuesday will reopen Wednesday, except for those in Sohna.
In the Sohna clash on Monday night, five vehicles and three shops were damaged. This came as a mob chanting Jai Shri Ram slogans set fire to a roadside eatery in Gurugram's Badshahpur. Some shops in the market nearby were also vandalised. Though police arrived at the spot, rioters fled on their motorcycles and other vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Gurugram Police booked Dinesh Bharti, who heads right-wing Jai Bharat Mata Vahini, for allegedly posting a video on social media a video inciting communal violence. Security has been tightened at temples and mosques, an official said.
On Monday, mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday. Prohibitory orders were clamped in the adjoining districts.