Despite a large number of people attending the Mahapanchayat called for opposing the “nuisance in the garb of Muharram processions” and provocative statements made during it, there was zero police presence at the venue.
Local police officers said that such gatherings among villagers was a routine affair and police presence was usually not required. “No permission is required for the villagers to assemble at a place and hold a meeting. We generally do not deploy force for such events,” said a police officer.
He, however, ducked questions about the agenda of the latest meeting being a sensitive one. The police also denied that pamphlets containing hateful messages directed at those organising Muharram processions were distributed. These pamphlets were being distributed even outside the Mahapanchayat when The Hindu reached there.
Young men in the area went from one shop to another to reminding the locals to be present at the gathering. They were occasionally aggressive as they extended the invitation. But the beat constables could not be seen checking their behaviour.
The limited police presence in the area was also highlighted in a letter sent by a group of activists to Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, copies of which were also sent to Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi.
