Haryana Violence: SIT To Probe Clashes, Role Of Monu Manesar Under Scanner; BJP-JJP Differ On Cause Of Unrest

Nuh Violence: The communal clashes in Haryana's Nuh district have claimed at least six lives including two state home guards while over 100 people are said to be injured in the clashes that took place on Monday evening over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad Shobha Yatra from entering the district. The violence soon spread to other parts of Haryana including Gurugram, where a mosque was set on fire by a mob who also shot down the mosque's 19-year-old cleric (Naib Imam).

The situation on Wednesday remained volatile with state police along with Central Security forces conducting flag marches in the affected areas. Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday sought four more companies of central forces to restore peace in the state and said a battalion of the India Reserve Battalion will also be deployed in Nuh.

Here are the top updates from Haryana Violence:

- Prohibitory orders remain in force in Nuh, Gurugram and other affected districts. CM Khattar said that 116 people have been arrested and 90 detained since so far, adding 41 cases have been registered in the state. On Wednesday, two jhuggis were torched and a tea shop was vandalised by a mob. In another slum, some huts were ransacked.

- The communal violence in Haryana has again highlighted the differences between the two ruling allies -- JJP and BJP -- in the state with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar disagreeing with his deputy and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala over the cause of the violent clashes in the state. Dushyant Chautala, earlier on Tuesday, blamed the organisers of the Shobha Yatra saying that the organisers did not give a proper estimation of the expected turnout. However, disagreeing with his ally, Khattar said, "it is not like that."

- When asked if a video of Bajrang Dal activist Monu Manesar in which he is heard saying that he would join the procession acted as an instigation, Khattar said he was booked by the Rajasthan Police and added that his government will provide whatever assistance is required in nabbing him. The Rajasthan Police booked Monu Manesar in February this year in connection with the killing of two Muslim men whose charred bodies were found in Bhiwani district.

- Meanwhile, the communal violence has also triggered a panic exodus in Gurugram and Nuh districts with many migrants, from both communities, mulling over returning to their hometowns. A report by PTI, quoting the police, stated that several people, most of them from Muslim community, living in slums in Wazirabad, Ghata village, Sector 70A and Badshahpur, are returning to their native places due to fear.

- On Monu Manesar's alleged involvement, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, as quoted by news agency IANS, said that "if a criminal had released a video on social media, it does not mean to set people's houses on fire and burn vehicles". The minister said action will be taken against VHP activist Monu Manesar. "Even in this case, if he has any role, he will not be spared," Vij said as quoted by IANS.

- Haryana Police Chief PK Agrawal on Wednesday said that an SIT will be formed to investigate the cases of communal violence in Haryana and the role of Monu Manesar in the clashes is being probed. He said four people have been arrested for killing the cleric of a mosque in Gurugram. A total 41 of FIRs have been registered in Nuh and 116 suspects arrested. More than 100 suspects have been detained for questioning, the Haryana DGP said.

- Meanwhile, the Delhi Police also beefed up security across the national capital in the wake of the communal violence in the neighbouring state. "Keeping in view the violence in some districts of Haryana, adjoining Delhi, elaborate security arrangements have been made at all sensitive places in Delhi and additional police forces have also been deployed where necessary. Any attempt to harm Delhi's security and communal harmony will be dealt with strictly," the Delhi Police said.

- The Supreme Court on Wednesday morning also ordered the enhanced deployment of security personnel in sensitive areas and a crackdown on hate speech but refused to stop the proposed rallies by VHP and Bajrang Dal in the NCR. Observing that hate speech vitiates the atmosphere, the top court also ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in vulnerable places. The apex court has posted the matter for hearing on Friday.