Delhi's Trilokpuri: No more clashes, but hoarding sends milk prices to Rs 100/litre

A day after five people were shot  during a communal clash in Delhi’s Trilokpuri area, the situation remained tense on Sunday though no violence was reported.  Police had detained around 70 people till Saturday night after two groups of Hindus and Muslims pelted stones at each other Friday. After a brief lull, clashes erupted again and five people were shot at on Saturday evening. But while rioting on the streets may have stopped in  Trilokpuri, hoarding of basic commodities sent prices skyrocketing, adding to the woes of the residents.  The clashes have led to black market trade, with prices of essential items doubling overnight. Taking advantage of the situation, small shops have downed shutters and are selling groceries through the back door at exorbitant prices. [caption id=“attachment_1772837” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A police official during the communal clash in Trilokpuri. Image courtesy: Firstpost[/caption] A resident was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying, “Eggs are selling for 10 per piece, which usually costs us Rs 4.” She told the newspaper that a litre of milk is being sold for upto Rs 100. According to an Indian Express report, potato was being sold for Rs 80 per kg, onions for Rs 120 and a small packet of Kurkure snack that costs Rs 5 for Rs 15 and a litre of packaged drinking water for Rs 60. Meanwhile, there are Good Samaritans also. The IE report noted how a 50-year-old Shameema Begum, the owner of a grocery shop in Sanjay Camp jhuggi is secretly giving away food. Following Thursday’s clash over Diwali celebrations, the authorities imposed prohibitory orders banning illegal gatherings, which is why the residents are at the mercy of local shopkeepers. Trilokpuri residents said there was “a curfew like situation”. Delhi Police denied this. “There is no curfew like situation, but section 144 of CrPC (prohibiting unlawful assembly of people) is imposed in the area,” spokesman Rajan Bhagat told IANS. The whole of Trilokpuri, divided into 36 blocks, were being manned by more than 1,000 security personnel - from Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force. Over 30 police vans, water cannons and riot control vehicles have also been deployed. Some of the roads where street clashes took places were strewn with stones and broken bottles Sunday. Though police said the five were injured in mob firing, their families blamed the police. “Arjun was shot by police when he was returning from a nearby block. He had gone for tuition and was returning around 1 p.m. Saturday,” his mother Malar told IANS. Ajit’s mother Anjali also claimed that her son was shot by police. Police said 14 people, including 13 police personnel, were injured in the stone-pelting. They were admitted to hospitals. Trilokpuri residents expressed anger over the police action, and accused officials of not apprehending the real culprits. With inputs from Agencies