Thread.
I've had a little time to digest what we saw today in North East Delhi, finish an update on our story, and take a breath.
Here is our story, with pictures by @dansiddiqui.
in.reuters.com/article/india-…
Below is what I saw.
I've had a little time to digest what we saw today in North East Delhi, finish an update on our story, and take a breath.
Here is our story, with pictures by @dansiddiqui.
in.reuters.com/article/india-…
Below is what I saw.
It had already built up by 1pm, when we got there.
Police used tear gas and smoke grenades but struggled to disperse the crowds, as both sides hurled stones and turned a wide boulevard into a rock-strewn battle zone, about 11 miles from where Trump will meet Modi tomorrow.
Police used tear gas and smoke grenades but struggled to disperse the crowds, as both sides hurled stones and turned a wide boulevard into a rock-strewn battle zone, about 11 miles from where Trump will meet Modi tomorrow.
Within minutes, a pattern on running battles had been established.
Pro-CAA folks, most seemingly Hindu, on one side.
Anti CAA folks, most seemingly Muslim, on the other.
Here's how it went down.
Pro-CAA folks, most seemingly Hindu, on one side.
Anti CAA folks, most seemingly Muslim, on the other.
Here's how it went down.
We saw multiple vehicles set on fire, metal barricades torn down and thick smoke billowing as supporters of the new law clashed with opponents.
A small contingent of police was vastly outnumbered.
A small contingent of police was vastly outnumbered.
For hours, no one side had the upper hand. It was a free for all.
At petrol pump (in the background) was set alight. Anti-CAA protesters also appeared to set fire to cars and bikes.
"Does this look like the capital of India?" one policeman asked me.
At petrol pump (in the background) was set alight. Anti-CAA protesters also appeared to set fire to cars and bikes.
"Does this look like the capital of India?" one policeman asked me.
The protesters appeared to be divided along religious lines, and some repeatedly hailed "Jai Shri Ram" while pelting stones.
At least one Muslim man and a burqa-clad woman beaten by dozens of pro-law protesters with sticks and iron rods.
Picture here:
At least one Muslim man and a burqa-clad woman beaten by dozens of pro-law protesters with sticks and iron rods.
Picture here:
That's not to say the other side wasn't violent.
This was captured from a rooftop, looking in the direction of anti-CAA protesters.
This was captured from a rooftop, looking in the direction of anti-CAA protesters.
Now, on Delhi Police.
For several hours, outnumbered cops mostly stood beside those backing the citizenship law, and did little to quell the violence.
The police also stood by as a mob vandalised a store with a Muslim name, pulling out vehicles and setting them alight.
For several hours, outnumbered cops mostly stood beside those backing the citizenship law, and did little to quell the violence.
The police also stood by as a mob vandalised a store with a Muslim name, pulling out vehicles and setting them alight.
There was some coordination, too.
“Go ahead and throw stones,” one policeman shouted to protesters backing the law, during one of the running battles.
Why there weren't more cops immediately deployed is a little puzzling.
“Go ahead and throw stones,” one policeman shouted to protesters backing the law, during one of the running battles.
Why there weren't more cops immediately deployed is a little puzzling.
On side streets, young boys drained fuel from motorcycles to make petrol bombs, and protesters from both sides pulled up paving stones and flung construction material at opponents.
All sorts of objects were involved, and there was clearly no monopoly on violence.
All sorts of objects were involved, and there was clearly no monopoly on violence.
Eventually, as the violence continued, it got too hot to work, and we pulled out.
We weren't the only journalists to be cornered.
Not an easy day.
Ends.
We weren't the only journalists to be cornered.
Not an easy day.
Ends.
