Chaos erupted in the Nangloi area of Delhi during the Muharram procession on Saturday as clashes broke out between a group of participants and the police. The situation escalated when a faction led by one of the organisers of the Tazia (Moharram) was denied permission to deviate from the designated route of the procession. The ensuing clashes resulted in nearly a dozen police personnel being injured and several police vehicles being vandalized.
Videos captured the tense atmosphere as the crowd resorted to stone-pelting, causing damage to vehicles and instigating a confrontation with the police. In an attempt to control the situation, the police responded with a lathi charge to disperse the unruly crowd.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Harendra Kumar Singh, “Around 10,000-15,000 people were participating in the ‘tazia’ processions when some individuals from the procession became unruly. They wanted to deviate from the routes decided by traffic police, and when the authorities attempted to stop them, they resorted to stone-pelting.” In response to the escalating violence, the police were left with no choice but to use a lathi charge to restore order. Numerous police personnel were injured in the process, and police vehicles were also targeted in acts of vandalism.
As the situation became increasingly tense, the group causing the disturbances was eventually dispersed. As of now, no arrests have been made, and authorities are actively investigating the incident.
In preparation for the Muharram procession, the Delhi Traffic Police had issued a traffic advisory aimed at regulating traffic flow in central and New Delhi areas. The advisory, which was in effect from Friday night until Saturday morning, encompassed 32 stretches in these regions. Additionally, traffic authorities had diverted vehicles from 16 other points in central, New Delhi, and south Delhi to facilitate the smooth movement of Tazia processions.
Muharram is a significant religious occasion observed by Muslims worldwide, and processions are an integral part of the commemoration. However, incidents like these highlight the need for cooperation and adherence to designated routes to ensure public safety and maintain the peaceful conduct of such events.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and an appeal has been made to the public to exercise restraint and cooperate with law enforcement to prevent any further escalation of tensions during the ongoing religious observances.
