Several injured in clash over kite-flying on I-Day

Members of two communities clashed over kite-flying in the Gokulpuri area of northeast Delhi in which several persons were injured on the Independence Day evening.

“We have arrested one person for pelting stone and resorting to violence in connection with the clash that occurred around 3 pm on Monday. Three more persons have been detained and are likely to be arrested after verifying their alleged role in the incident,” said A.K. Singla, DCP (northeast).

The SHO of Gokulpuri, who allegedly did not respond quickly to the incident to bring it under control, has been “suspended”, he said.

The trigger for the clash was kite-flying as two motorcyclists objected to some people flying kites on the road and asked them to give way at Shiv Vihar in the Gokulpuri area, the police said.

Those who were flying kites allegedly manhandled the duo, who went away but later returned, accompanied with more men, and clashed with the locals. The two groups resorted to stone-pelting and bottle-throwing.

The police rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control, but they were also targeted by the troublemakers and one head constable sustained head injury, said the DCP.

More police force was rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control. The situation in the area has normalised now and police personnel have been deployed to prevent further disturbance, he said.