Fresh violence in parts of NE Delhi, death toll mounts to 27

The death toll has mounted to 27 while over 200 have been injured in violent clashes between the pro-and anti CAA protesters in parts of northeast Delhi since Sunday.

The deceased include civilians, one police officer and one Intelligence Bureau official identified as Ankit Sharma. His body was recovered from a drain in Delhi's Chand Bagh on Wednesday.

According to reports, while returning home, he was allegedly beaten to death by a mob on a bridge in the area.

The Delhi Police have booked 18 FIRs and arrested 106 people in connection with the violence. They have claimed that the situation is under control now.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for peace and harmony and said that he held an extensive review on the prevailing situation in Delhi.

"Had an extensive review on the situation prevailing in various parts of Delhi. Police and other agencies are working on the ground to ensure peace and normalcy," PM Modi tweeted.

Urging for the restoration of peace in the capital, the Prime Minister said in another tweet: "Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest."

Meanwhile, Ajit Doval visited the violence-hit area for the second time on Wednesday evening.

"I came to these areas and met people. Some criminals are trying to create trouble. Police are alert in the areas and doing their duties," he told reporters.

During his round to the areas including Jaffrabad, Doval interacted with local residents and asked people to maintain harmony.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier suggested calling the army to control the situation.

However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ruled out the deployment of the army stating there are enough police and paramilitary personnel to control the violence, reports said.

The Delhi Police have released some helpline numbers, for those who want the details of any victim.

Police have circulated the contact numbers of the officers including SI Gajendra Singh 9818120026 for GTB Hospital, ASI Yogendra Singh 7982756328 for LNJP hospital and Maulana Azad Hospital, S. Devendra Singh 9818313342 for RML hospital and ASI Narendra Rana 9868738042 for Al Hind Hospital Number.

Delhi HC Justice S Muralidhar, who earlier in the day, criticized Delhi Police's role in controlling the violence, was transferred to Punjab and Haryana HC.

The prevailing situation has also hit board exams as CBSE on Wednesday announced the postponement of Class XII Board exam paper for February 27, Thursday, in schools of violence-hit northeast Delhi.

The Central Board of Secondary Education on the request of Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi and to avoid inconvenience to students, staffs and parents, has decided to postpone Class 12 exams scheduled for February 27 in the northeast part of Delhi, stated the CBSE circular issued by Secretary Anurag Tripathi.

According to government sources, the violence seems to have been "orchestrated", as it happened during US President Donald Trump's visit to India.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi earlier in the day demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Delhi violence.