New Delhi: AAP councillor Tahir Hussain has been booked for arson and murder in the Delhi riots after petrol bombs and bricks were found on the roof of his factory. The AAP councillor, however, has denied any involvement.
In a video released on Wednesday, Hussain claimed that he too was a victim of the violence that broke out in several parts of northeast Delhi.
“I want to say that all the news being spread and shown about me is totally false. It is all dirty politics being played against me. Ever since Kapil Mishra made his provocative speech, the situation in Delhi has worsened. Stone-pelting is going on in several places and many other things that are being reported. All this happened here too, and we responded fast and called up the police. A huge crowd broke my office gate, climbed my terrace. I asked for help from the police and they reached a few hours later and then the situation was brought under control,” he said.
It can be noted that Hussain has been blamed for the death of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma, whose battered body was recovered on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, announcing Rs 10 lakh each as compensation to the families of those killed in violence in northeast Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, February 27, asserted that any AAP member found guilty of involvement should get double the punishment prescribed in law.
The Chief Minister appealed that no politics should however be done over the issue of national security.
Asked about charges of involvement in violence and arson in northeast Delhi against AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, Kejriwal said: “Any person found guilty should be given strict punishment. If any Aam Aadmi Party member is found guilty, he or she should be given double the punishment.”
Earlier in the day, BJP leader Kapil Mishra had demanded a scrutiny of the call details of Tahir Hussain, while BJP MP Gautam Gambhir tweeted that the Chief Minister’s “silence is deafening”.
Unverified video clips have gone viral on the social media, wherein a man reported to be Tahir is seen holding a stick, after which both Mishra and the BJP upped the ante against the AAP. This comes a day after the AAP press conference to question Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the violence.
CM Kejriwal also announced the widening of the ambit of the ‘Farishte’ scheme, whereby anyone affected by the violence can also avail of free treatment at any private hospital.
Those seriously hurt will get Rs 5 lakh each. He also announced compensation for damage to property and possessions like rickshaws.
Kejriwal said that an app would be rolled out for filing of compensation claims by the affected.
Those who lost their homes will be accommodated at Rain Baseras (night shelters) till their houses are rebuilt, said the Chief Minister. He also said his government will provide food in riot-affected areas, in view of curfew imposed in some areas.
Violence in northeast Delhi was triggered on Sunday afternoon after a face-off between pro- and anti-CAA groups, leading to the death of at least 36 persons, including a police official and an IB staffer. Over 200 persons were injured.
(With inputs from IANS)
