Delhi: Death Toll Mounts to 46 amid Social Media "Rumours" of Renewed Communal Tensions

Delhi, March 2, 2020:

With the discovery of four more bodies in drains in Gokalpur and Shiv Vihar, death toll in the national capital has risen to 46 in the aftermath of the violence that took place in northeast Delhi amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Meanwhile, there have been rumours on social media that the violence has seen further escalation, which has been denied by the local police.

According to reports, 38 have been reported dead at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, three at Lok Nayak Hospital, four at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and one at Jag Parvesh Chander Hospital.

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The death toll rose to 46 after four bodies were fished out from the drains in Gokalpuri and Shiv Vihar.

It may be mentioned here that panic has gripped the Delhi residents anew after rumours started circulating on social media that violence has begun anew. However, the Delhi Police and AAP leaders have denied the reports.

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Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) West Deepak Purohit said, "A rumour has been noticed that there is some tension in Khyala-Raghubir Nagar area of West District. There is no truth behind it. All are requested to keep calm as the situation is absolutely normal & peaceful."

The DCP also said that the reports of communal violence in Tilak Nagar and Khyala areas is false.

Amid the rumours, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also shut down the entry and exit gates of seven metro stations, but later reopened them.

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