Jahangirpuri rioters picked up guns to ‘protect their community’

The violence broke out between two groups during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area on Saturday. From stone-pelting to vandalization, the miscreants did everything in their might to disturb the communal harmony. Many police personnel were also injured during the violence.

Reportedly, a man opened fire on the crowd during Jahangirpuri violence. A video showing the man brandishing a pistol and firing shots was found by the police, following which he was arrested and his pistol was seized. According to the police, he is a “repeat offender.”

The man who fired the gun

The accused has been identified as Sonu Chikna alias Imam alias Yunus. He is a resident of C-Block in Jahangirpuri. He was arrested for firing gunshots at police personnel.

“A video was being circulated on social media platforms on Sunday, showing a man in a blue shirt opening fire during the riots in Jahangirpuri. He has been nabbed by the special staff of the northwest district,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Usha Rangnani said.

Read more: Delhi’s Jahangirpuri is on its way to become another Mewat

When a police team reached Jahangirpuri to arrest Sonu Chikna but his family and neighbors pelted stones at the team. In order to ensure that there is no further clash, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) formed a human shelf. Calling it a “minor, one-off incident”, Delhi police detained one person.

Sonu Chikna picked up the gun to ‘protect his community’

Mothers are known for their selfless love. They love their child to such an extent that they even start defending their crimes. This is exactly what Sonu Chikna’s mother is doing. She has accepted that her son had fired gunshots during the Jahangirpuri violence. Reportedly, the mother of the firing accused Salim Chikna attempted to portray her child as a victim despite the fact that he picked up the gun. She justified her son’s deeds by saying that her son was arrested for no reason, and he wanted to ‘support his community’ during the violence.

She said, “He was arrested for no reason. Everyone will tell you he was arrested without committing any mistake. ”She alleged that Police is not informing why her son has been arrested. When asked about what his son was doing among the rioters.

She said, “My son has a chicken shop. He was about to open Roza when tension between Hindus and Muslims erupted, and he went out. He does not own a gun. He snatched the gun from someone and fired shots as he was angry. No one was injured. They were threatening us. My son just wanted to scare them off. Someone with a personal grudge shot the video and made it viral.”

It is pertinent to note that Sonu’s brother Salim is already behind the bars. As per the report, she said, “He came back after the violence. He was scared and ran off. He does not have any case registered against him. He is a five-time Namazi. He never fights with anyone.”

Although it is understood that a mother would defend her child but the question arises is that should family be prioritised over nation and its communal harmony? Well, no. A criminal is a criminal and he must be punished. Thus, Sonu Chikna along with his brother Salim Chikna must face the music for the crime they have done to attempt to disturb the communal harmony.