5 accused of Delhi violence face stringent national security charges

In a phone call to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanded strict action against those responsible for the violence in northwest Delhi two days ago, in which many policemen were injured.

There have been 24 arrests so far, including 3 juveniles.

Five of them have been charged under the rigorous anti-terrorism law that let the government hold people for months if it believes they constitute a threat to national security or public order.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Home Minister expressed categorical instructions that Delhi Police not make any mistakes in their investigation.

During a procession without permission, they erupted in clashes on Saturday.

There was an argument between the members of the procession and those praying in the mosque as they passed a mosque as people held saffron flags and chanted religious chants. This led to the loud volume of religious chants clashing with the azaan

The police filed a case for disobedience of a public servant's order under Section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, which is subject to bail.

According to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, all the suspects have been searched for, and any person found guilty will be dealt with aggressively regardless of their class, creed, or religion.

Police have so far seized three home-grown pistols and five swords from those arrested. "Weapons were recovered from both groups - from those taking part in the procession and from those who were opposing it," the senior police officer said.