New Delhi, December 17: Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Alok Kumar on Tuesday said that 21 people were injured in Seelampur incident, where protesters staged a violent agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act. He denied the reports of lathicharge or bullet firing by the Delhi Police, however, agreed that tear gas shells were used to disperse the mob. Adding more, he alleged that the whole agitation was planned and Delhi Police have detained five persons in this regard.

Stating that the situation is under control, Alok Kumar said, as quoted by news agency ANI, "Total 21 people injured, of which 12 are Delhi police personnel & 3 are from Rapid Action Force. 5 persons have been detained. 2 police booths have been damaged. No lathicharge was done by police." Adding more, he said, "No bullet has been fired. Only tear gas shells used. Situation is under control now. Some police personnel are injured. 2 public transport buses, 1 Rapid Action Force bus&some bikes damaged during the protest." Delhi: Police Picket in Seelampur Burnt Down as Anti-CAA Protests Turn Violent, BJP Demands 'Severe Crackdown'.

Here is the ANI tweet:

Earlier in the day, a police picket was burnt down and several left injured as clashes erupted between security forces and anti-CAA protesters in East Delhi. The violence broke out during the protests called by residents against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Seelampur, Jafrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur and Gokulpuri, following Metro train services where shut in the locality.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a "severe crackdown" against miscreants among the minority community who have resorted to arson. The party has blamed the "appeasement politics" of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the situation which has erupted in the national capital.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2019 08:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).