Security has been heightened in west Delhi’s Uttam Nagar ahead of Id celebrations following tensions triggered by the death of a 26-year-old man earlier this month, the police said on Wednesday.
Tarun Bhutolia died after a violent clash erupted during Holi celebrations. According to police, the incident has sparked tensions between communities, with Hindu outfits staging protests and demanding strict action against those involved in the killing.
Officials also said that several social media posts targeting Muslims and containing hate speech were identified in the aftermath of the incident. A senior Delhi Police officer said Uttam Nagar has been classified as a “highly sensitive” area and will be divided into three zones for security management, each overseen by an officer of the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner. “We are deploying personnel from local police stations along with additional paramilitary forces to prevent any untoward incidents,” the officer said.
Online monitoring
Police have also stepped up surveillance on social media. The department’s social wing has identified 49 accounts across Facebook, Instagram and X that were allegedly spreading “misinformation” and “hate content”. “We have requested all three platforms to take down these profiles. While some have already been removed, a few accounts on X are yet to be taken down,” the officer said, adding that 12 other accounts are under monitoring for potential calls to violence.
