Peace returns in Delhi's Trilokpuri as communities talk cooperation

NEW DELHI: The loudspeakers playing bhajans fell silent immediately when the 4 pm azaan began, reflecting the fragile truce that has been reached between the two communities in Delhi’s Trilokpuri area.
The communities have also agreed to participate in each other’s events and have asked people from their communities to become volunteers and help organise such events. Muslim boys were seen toiling with their Hindu counterparts to make Jagran a success. Jagran is taking place at the same place where Mata ki Chowki was set up in Block 20.

Muslims are observing Muharram on November 4 at the mosque, just 50 meters from mata ki chowki. This is a big development, and the excitement is palpable among the Hindus, after things looked extremely vulnerable.

The police has deployed two DCPs, four ACPs, eight inspectors, 45 sub-inspectors, 375 constables and 50 undercover officers, apart from three companies of paramilitary forces. Two constables have been deployed on top of every building where mata ki chowki is located. Two drones would keep close watch on every corner.

Jagran started at 5 pm and a two-hour window was given to the people of Block 20 and adjacent blocks to reach their homes because section 144 was imposed on all the roads leading to Block 20. Jagran continued till Friday midnight. BK Talwar, chief organiser of Jagran, was happy with the proceedings.

"After what has happened in the past week, we are happy that things have come to normal. We got clearance from the police only yesterday evening, and we have received over Rs 1.25 lakh in donations and it is still not 10 am. You can see the excitement."

Ex-BJP MLA Sunil Kumar Vaidya, accused of stoking violence in the region, also attended the Jagran. Local cleric Mohammad Shamim, said "Both communities have agreed to participate in each other’s events. 20 Muslim boys have agreed to volunteer in Jagran. Likewise, 20 Hindu boys will be volunteering for Muharram."