Finance
The ripples from Monday’s communal clash in Haryana’s Nuh has reached sector 70 in Gurugram, which is less than 20 kms from the national capital New Delhi. Several shops and shanties next to a residential complex were set on fire on Tuesday night.
Gurugram has imposed prohibitory orders after sporadic incidents of violence on Tuesday. Sale of loose petrol or diesel has also been banned to prevent incidents of arson.
On violence in the city, Gurugram Police said, “There have been some incidents of arson and skirmishes today. But there has been no major incident.”
The police also urged citizens not to believe rumours, and not give credence to reports on social media. “Messages being circulated on social media about schools, colleges, work stations being closed today are false. All traffic is running as usual, there are no restrictions,” says Varun Kumar Dahiya, Assistant Commissioner of Police – Gurgaon.
Some multi-national corporations, like American Express and KPMG, have advised employees to work from home today.
Violence broke out during a religious procession in Nuh on Monday — just 50 km from Delhi — following what many say is an objectionable video that went viral. As a mob attacked the procession with stones, the 2,500-plus participants rushed into a temple to take shelter.
As the evening progressed, the violence escalated with mobs torching a mosque post-midnight and vandalizing over a hundred vehicles in Nuh and neighboring Gurugram. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar confirmed six deaths in the Nuh district violence and renewed his appeal for peace in the State. He also mentioned that a total of 116 people have been arrested in connection with the Monday violence in Nuh.
Several other Haryana districts also reported clashes, and rioting was witnessed in Badshahpur, located 50 km from Nuh. Witnesses said a mob of around 200 had entered the area around 3 pm, armed with sticks and stones. They vandalized several shops, including several meat shops, and set fire to an eatery amid religious chant.
Schools and colleges in Sohna, which borders Gurugram, will remain closed today.
Delhi has also sounded an alert with police carrying out enhanced patrolling and using drones to monitor sensitive areas. A Delhi Police officer stated that the force is prepared to respond to any situation arising in the national capital due to incidents in neighboring areas.
