New Delhi: In recent times, Delhi’s Uttam Nagar witnessed increased communal tensions in the area after the killing of a 26-year-old man Tarun Kumar in JJ Colony.

Delhi HC asks to maintain peace

The Delhi High Court on Thursday has ordered the police and civil administration to ensure peace and safety in Uttam Nagar. A bench headed by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya heard the matter on Thursday, and will next hear the matter on April 6. The court directed police and civil administration to ensure that there is peace and a secure environment in the region ahead of Eid.

The bench said, “We thus direct the police and civil administration of the area to take all necessary action permissible under the law to ensure that the situation does not take any ugly turn and that an atmosphere is created conducive to the peaceful and dignified observance of the festival of Eid, which is likely to be tomorrow. Police bandobast to be made should be such that instils a sense of safety and security to all.”

The court added, “Authorities shall also ensure that no one from any section of the society to play any kind of mischief having the potential of creating any untoward situation. Mr Lau, ask your police authorities not to be lax. Whatever happens in Delhi has a ripple effect. The court also said there must be security arrangements in the region till Ram Navmi.

What happened in Uttam Nagar?

During Holi, in Uttam Nagar, a girl from Tarun’s family threw a water balloon that splashed another woman in the neighbourhood. The woman’s family reportedly attacked Tarun’s family over the issue, and they stopped Kumar, who was returning home at night after playing Holi. They allegedly attacked him with bats, sticks and stones, leading to his death. Following that, the area was embroiled in communal tension with messages and threats against the Muslim community spreading like wildfire. Some Hindutva organisations reportedly threatened to play ‘Holi with blood on Eid’, sending the authorities on high alert.