New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) Death toll in northeast Delhi clashes rose to 25 on Wednesday even as no incident of violence was reported in the past 24 hours.
"The situation is improving since last night and no case of violence has been reported since morning on Wednesday", an official said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed the people of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times and said police and other agencies were working on the ground, to ensure peace and normalcy.
'Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important that calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest,' said Mr Modi in a tweet.
Taking strong cognizance of the violence, Delhi High Court asked the government counsel to advise the police commissioner to examine video clips of violence and lodge FIRs against BJP leaders allegedly delivered provocative speeches.
Security
In the afternoon, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited the affected Maujpur and adjoining areas on Wednesday afternoon and took the stock of the situation.
"The situation is under control and I have confidence in law enforcement agencies," Mr Doval said, adding that the police is doing its work.
Mr Doval also briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the prevailing law and order situation in the area and the steps taken by the Delhi Police to restore normalcy.
After evaluating the situation, the Centre deployed 45 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) including the Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The Home Ministry also assured the Delhi Police that additional CAPF contingents may be deployed if needed whereas the Reserve Force's battalions have been kept on alert.
The CAPF's contingents deployed conducted flag marches in the Zafarabad, Gokulpuri and Maujpur as a confidence building measures and to restore law and order situation in the affected areas, officials said.
In the evening, Delhi Police held a press conference and informed that 106 people have been arrested and 18 FIRs registered.
The CBSE announced the postponement of Class XII Board exam paper for February 27, Thursday, in schools of violence-hit northeast Delhi.
The Opposition parties, including Congress decided to meet President Ram Nath Kovind to discuss clashes in northeast Delhi.
General Secretary of CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of CPI D Raja, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav and leaders of DMK and NCP also wrote the President for appointment, preferably on February 28.
Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia also visited the sensitive areas and interacted with the local residents.
Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, Mr Kejriwal reiterated his demand for deployment of Army in the violence-hit areas of the National Capital. The chief minister said that the 'common man' of Delhi does not indulge in violence.
"This has been done by some anti-social, political and external elements. Hindus and Muslims in Delhi never want to fight," he said.
Mr Kejriwal also announced a compensation of Rs one crore to the family of Head Constable Ratan Lal, who was killed during the clashes. Lal's widow will get a government job, he assured.
Blame game
However, Opposition parties including Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, held BJP leaders responsible for violence.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah resignation, holding him directly responsible for the violence in Delhi over the last three days.
"The CWC is of the firm opinion that what has happened in Delhi is a colossal failure of duty, for which the entire responsibility must be borne by the Central Government and particularly, the Home Minister and calls upon the Home Minister to tender his resignation immediately", Ms Gandhi said at a rare appearance for a press conference, after a meeting of the party's highest decision body on Delhi violence.
CWC also blamed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his government for not activating the administration to reach out to the people, to maintain peace and harmony.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh held a press conference and showed a video in which BJP leaders are allegedly delivering provocative speech.
He later held a Peace March in Gandhi Nagar. The leaders of Indian National Congress, including its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi took out a 'peace march' in the national capital.
UNI Team NY-JW PS 2219