Shaheen Bagh: Petrol bomb hurled near protest site; none injured
What's the story
A petrol bomb was thrown in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh near an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest site, police officials confirmed on Sunday.
According to early reports, the assailants who allegedly threw the bomb were bike-borne. An investigation in the matter is on.
Separately, a similar incident was reported near another anti-CAA protest site at Jamia Millia Islamia.
Here are more details.
Details
Petrol bomb hurled at 9:30 am today, says police
Police officials told PTI that a petrol bomb was thrown near the Shaheen Bagh protest site at 9:30 am on Sunday.
The officials said no one was injured in the incident, adding that five-six petrol-filled bottles were recovered at the site.
As per visuals from the scene, the bomb was thrown at a police barricade close to the protest site.
Twitter Post
Here is a clip from the site
Protesters allege that a petrol bomb was thrown nearby #ShaheenBagh protest site.. Due to #CoronavirusPandemic and #JantaCurfew only 3,4 dadis were sitting there. Symbolic protest. No one is allowed to enter. pic.twitter.com/mdpf85Ulzf
— Shadab Moizee (@shadabmoizee) March 22, 2020
Probe
Bomb did not target protesters; checking CCTV footage: DCP
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Kumar Gyanesh told IANS a preliminary inquiry has found that the bomb did not target the protesters.
The DCP said an investigation is underway. He said, "Two people were seen on a bike near the barricades, we're checking CCTV footage for detailed investigation."
Police officials told IANS that the bombs came from the by lanes of Shaheen Bagh.
Information
'Still confirming if there was petrol or other chemical involved'
The police are also investigating whether the bomb had crude oil or some other chemicals. A Joint Commissioner of Police rank officer told IANS, "We are still confirming if there was petrol or some other chemical in bottles, exact information will be shared soon."
Suspicion
Police suspect one of the protesters hurled bomb
Speaking to The Indian Express, DCP Gyanesh said, "Prima facie...it was one of the protesters who hurled the bombs."
Reporting infighting, Gyanesh added, "Last night, we received a call about a fight there and had to intervene. Due to the coronavirus scare, few of the protesters want to call off the sit-in protest while others debated and they fought with each other."
Shaheen Bagh protest
Shaheen Bagh protest continues amid coronavirus outbreak
Shaheen Bagh is the site of a 24x7 sit-in protest against the contentious citizenship law CAA.
The women-led protest had assembled in mid-December, blocking the Jasola-Noida route via Kalindi Kunj.
Despite a nationwide curfew and a ban on public gatherings in light of the coronavirus outbreak, the protest did not end.
However, only three-four women are reportedly present at the site.
Jamia incident
Glass bottle with chemicals thrown at Jamia: Report
In a separate incident also reported on Sunday morning, a man riding a motorcycle allegedly threw a glass bottle with "chemicals" near Jamia Millia Islamia's gate number 7, India Today reported.
According to The Hindu, there was an explosion.
JMI gate number 7 is the site of another anti-CAA protest.
The protest had temporarily been called off in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.