Hauz Qazi remains tense, three arrested

New Delhi: Amid scattered stone pelting sparked by a communal rift, Hauz Qazi in old Delhi remained tense on Tuesday, with police appealing to people to maintain calm. Residents said the situation in the area remained tense on Tuesday morning, after communal clashes erupted between two communities over a parking issue on Sunday night.

Police said they were using drones to monitor the situation. People from both the communities continued pelting stones at each other on Tuesday morning despite the deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, some residents said. Union Minister and Chandni Chowk MP Harsh Vardhan visited the area. So far three people have been arrested for rioting.

Police officials are scanning CCTV to identify other culprits. Delhi Police appealed to the people to maintain peace. Lal Kuan area in Hauz Qazi is one of the biggest wholesale markets in Delhi but the shops were shut on Tuesday due to persistent tension.

"Despite police presence, the situation is not normal. People get agitated at the drop of a hat and start hitting each other. The slogans raised by both sides are communal and demeaning," said a resident.