Police-MLA coordination enhanced

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Feb 25

As violent clashes between anti and pro-CAA protesters continued for the third day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting which was attended by Delhi L-G Anil Baijal, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Commissioner of Police Amulya Patnaik, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, IB Director Arvind Kumar, Congress’ Subhash Chopra and BJP’s Manoj Tiwari.

It was decided to enhance police-MLA coordination and re-activate peace committees.

An armed battalion of the Delhi Police comprising 1,000 personnel was being deployed in affected areas, the officials said, adding that borders with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana were being monitored by police and Intelligence officials.

An MHA press note said the Home Minister appealed to the public and media to “communicate responsibly” and asked the Police Commissioner to depute senior officers at police control rooms to dispel rumours. He asked representatives of political parties to hold meetings in sensitive areas and to refrain from provocative speeches.

In a letter to the wife of Head Constable Ratan Lal, who was killed in the violence on Monday, Shah conveyed his condolences. “Your brave husband was a dedicated policeman who faced tough challenges. As a true soldier he made the supreme sacrifice to serve this country. I pray that God gives you strength to bear this sad and untimely loss,” he wrote.