Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 18: Several Muslim families in Uttam Nagar’s Hastsal village are considering temporarily leaving the area ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival, citing fear amid ongoing communal tensions following a recent clash.
Residents said threats and provocative statements by certain groups after the death of a 26-year-old man during a dispute between two families on Holi have created an atmosphere of anxiety.
However, the Delhi Police maintained that it has not received any confirmation of families planning to leave and has been actively engaging with residents to ensure peace.
Jameel Ahmad, a long-time resident and restaurant owner, said his family, which has lived in the area for over five decades, is fearful due to threats circulating both offline and on social media. He said some nearby tenant families have already left.
Another resident, Farzana, said although her family does not wish to leave, the prevailing situation and fear of violence have forced them to consider moving out temporarily during Eid celebrations.
Bilal Rajput, an advocate whose family has resided in the locality since the 1970s, acknowledged that while his family is not planning to leave, tensions remain palpable with frequent protests and heavy police presence in public spaces.
The violence traces back to a March 4 incident when a dispute escalated after a water balloon thrown by a child struck a woman, leading to clashes between two families. The injured man later succumbed, following which police arrested 14 individuals and apprehended two minors.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said authorities have taken extensive measures to maintain law and order. He added that multiple requests have been sent to social media platforms to remove provocative content, with several posts already taken down.
Police have also conducted peace meetings with members of both communities and assured residents of adequate security arrangements to ensure that the festival passes peacefully.