New Delhi, March 5 – A 26-year-old man died in what is believed to be a clash between two families in JJ Colony in southwest Delhi's Uttam Nagar during Holi celebrations, an official said on Thursday.
The incident led to tensions in the area, with protests at the local police station demanding swift action against those involved. A large crowd also gathered outside the residence of the accused and allegedly attempted to attack the house, prompting police intervention.
Initial information suggests the dispute arose from a stray splash of colored water from a balloon, according to police.
The deceased, identified as Tarun, succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a hospital.
According to police, the incident occurred on Wednesday when a fight broke out between members of two families – belonging to different communities – in the locality. Several people from both sides were injured in the clash.
Family members of the deceased stated that an 11-year-old girl who was playing Holi on the terrace of the house threw a water balloon at her relatives below. The balloon fell to the ground and burst, splashing some colored water onto a woman from the other family, which belonged to a different community.
According to Tarun's grandfather, Maan Singh, who was also injured in the clash, the woman allegedly started making abusive remarks and began a fight over the splashed color. She gathered several members of her family and community, and they allegedly attacked the family who were celebrating Holi, Singh said.
He claimed that although the situation appeared to have calmed down, members of the other family later gathered and allegedly assaulted Tarun when he was returning home after celebrating Holi.
"They brutally attacked Tarun. When he was lying on the road, a large stone was thrown at his chest," Singh alleged.
Tarun's uncle, Ramesh, alleged that Tarun was unaware of the clash and was returning home when he was attacked.
"At the moment he entered the street, about eight to ten people attacked him with sticks, rods, and stones. My nephew had no idea about the fight. However, he was still attacked. The accused brutally attacked him, and he died during treatment. Many others from our family, including myself, were also seriously injured," Ramesh alleged, adding that the same family had attacked them on a previous occasion.
A woman from the family stated that they demanded justice and wanted all those involved in the incident to be arrested immediately. She also said that the police could examine the CCTV footage of the entire incident to identify those involved in the killing.
"We want justice. Those who attacked us were so enraged that they could have even attacked the little girl," she claimed.
Some of the family members threatened to block traffic if the accused were not arrested soon.
Later in the day, tension prevailed in the area as family members of the deceased, along with locals, gathered outside the Uttam Nagar police station and demanded strict action against the accused.
Members of a Hindu political outfit also reached the police station and joined the protest, raising slogans and demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved in the incident.
Police sources said that the protesters gheraoed the Uttam Nagar police station for several hours.
According to the source, after the demonstration at the police station, some family members and protestors returned to the locality where they allegedly attempted to confront the accused. A large number of people allegedly gathered outside the house of the accused, leading to tension in the area.
Some of the protesters allegedly tried to attack the house, prompting police personnel to intervene and disperse the crowd before the situation escalated.
"During the unrest, a few vehicles parked in the area were also damaged. Some protesters also allegedly asked shopkeepers in the locality to shut their shops as tensions escalated in the area," the source said.
Residents said that the situation in the locality remained tense for several hours following the clash and subsequent protests. Heavy police deployment was made in the area to maintain law and order.
A police officer said that additional police personnel have been deployed in the locality as a precautionary measure. "Extra police force has been deployed in the area. We are closely monitoring the situation and no one will be allowed to breach the law and order situation," he said.
Police said they were maintaining strict vigil in the area to prevent any escalation. Police also appealed to residents to maintain peace and not pay heed to rumors.
Police are examining CCTV footage from the locality and recording statements of witnesses to establish the exact sequence of events that led to the clash. Police said the injured persons from both families are undergoing treatment and their statements will also be recorded as part of the investigation.
"We got to know that the fight stemmed from throwing balloons, and we are investigating the matter. We have registered an FIR and apprehended some people. Further investigation is underway," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Niharika Bhatt told reporters.
Police said efforts are underway to identify the persons involved in the incident and appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. Police personnel will remain deployed in the locality to ensure peace and normalcy.
