Two years after having seen communal clashes, Trilokpuri is set to have a low-key Diwali. At least two minor incidences of communal flare-ups were reported from the East Delhi area this month.
On the day of Diwali in 2014, a riot broke out in the hardscrabble neighbourhood, leaving behind mutual suspicion and distrust. The police said it has strengthened patrolling and set up more pickets to prevent any untoward incident.
Local markets are teeming with people ahead of the Sunday festivity. But inside the housing blocks, the mood is little subdued. “For the last two years, the authorities have not allowed to hold jagrans. The police even denied permission to set up a Ganpati idol last month,” Chanda, a resident of Block 20 said.
The first stone-pelting incident during the 2014 riots revolved around “Mata Ki Chowki” set up near a mosque in Block 20. According to the locals, the stone pelting had begun after local youths from Hindu and Muslim communities were involved in a drunken brawl near the makeshift religious site.
“Youth are not educated or they keep bad company that is why such incident happen,” said Attar Singh, another resident the block. At the site of “Mata Ki Chowki”, some local youths have painted a graffiti which says: “I Love My India”.
A few blocks away, in the Muslim-dominated Block 27, Zishan Khan said the police ordered shops to bring down shutters at 8 pm after two groups clashed on October 16. Another resident of the block, Salman Khan alleged that members of Bajrang Dal were involved in a brawl with Muslim youths after police objected to them saying their prayers at Block — 25 chowk.
Mr Zishan Khan, whose shop was gutted during the 2014 riots, said it took him 3-4 months to start his business again. “I have accumulated a lot of debt. And the situation here hasn’t changed much,” he said.
