Five people arrested in connection with Saturday's communal clashes in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area have been slapped with the stringent National Security Act (NSA), news agency ANI reported, quoting government officials.
The sources said the accused who have been booked under the NSA include key accused Ansar Sheikh, Salim Chikna, Imam Sheikh alias Sonu, Dilshad and Ahir.
A senior IPS officer told The Quint that the process to impose the NSA, the order for which comes from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is underway and the Delhi Police will release a statement in due time.
Imam alias Sonu was arrested by the Special Staff of the north-west district police on Monday. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had fired through his pistol near Kushal Chowk during the clashes.
A video of him wearing a blue kurta opening fire during the riots had gone viral on social media.
Delhi Police on Sunday arrested 35-year-old Ansar, who was involved in conspiring the communal clashes, an official said. The key accused, Ansar was also found to be previously involved in two cases of assault and was also arrested repeatedly under preventive sections and booked five times under the Gambling Act and the Arms Act.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been trading claims about Ansar, with AAP leader Atishi claiming on Tuesday that he has links with the BJP.
The AAP leader's claim comes a day after the BJP claimed that Ansar in fact had links with AAP.
Amit Shah Asks Police To Take Strict Action
Tuesday's development comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday directed Delhi Police officials to take strict action against the culprits, as reported by ANI.
Shah reportedly asked the Delhi Police to set an example so that such incidents are not repeated.
Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Monday said that action will be taken against those involved irrespective of their class, creed, or community.
Twenty-five people have been arrested in connection with the violence that ensued on Saturday during a Hanuman Jayanti procession, while two juveniles have been apprehended as well, taking the total number nabbed to 27.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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