CPI(M) leader writes to Shah, blaming BJP's Kapil Mishra for Delhi violence

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, blaming BJP's Kapil Mishra for the violence in northeast Delhi and his open call to forcibly remove protesters from various sites.

The death toll in the violence over the amended citizenship law rose to nine on Tuesday, the GTB Hospital authorities said.

Four persons were declared brought dead by doctors at the hospital on Tuesday, they added.

Thirty-five people were also brought to the hospital with injuries, the authorities said.

"The tragic death of a police constable and the deaths of six citizens in the shocking incidents of violence in the capital are of deep concern. We strongly condemn those responsible for the death of the police constable and for the violence in Delhi. The Delhi Police and related agencies are under the control of your ministry and therefore, we are addressing this letter to you," Karat wrote to Shah and sought an appointment with the home minister.

She also said the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), led mainly by women, have been peaceful for the last two months, while adding that there were no instances of violence in Delhi "except those incidents of firing at the protesters by men who were incited to violence by a minister in the central government".

"This should have alerted the police and intelligence agencies to efforts being made by certain elements to disrupt the peaceful protests and give a communal colour to them. However, either the intelligence agencies failed or their reports were ignored.

"On Sunday, BJP leader Kapil Mishra had openly given a call for forcibly removing the protesters from various sites. Detailed reports and video images are available of the highly-provocative and communal slogans given by groups of men armed with lathis and bricks in the areas surrounding the protest sites," Karat wrote in her letter to Shah.

She said the need of the hour was an impartial and just intervention to ensure peace in the national capital.

"Your intervention for peace will allay apprehensions among the public that the incidents of the last two days are 'Badla' (revenge) against the people of Delhi for the election results. In this context, action against Kapil Mishra will bring confidence to the people that you are indeed taking impartial steps for peace and against troublemakers. All those involved in spreading hatred and violence, regardless of their political connections and colour, should be arrested," Karat said.