Muharram observed amid tight security in Delhi

Delhi Police Commando teams have been deployed along with local police, while Special Branch (Intelligence) is in touch with people of both the communities to avoid spread of rumours in sensitive areas.

Processions started in the morning from Shia Jama Masjid, Kashmere Gate, Chabi Ganj, Chhota Bazar, Bara Bazar which would end at Panja Sharif, the oldest Karbala in the city located at Kashmere Gate, in the evening.

Tazias from Okhla, Nizamuddin and Mehrauli would directly reach Karbala in Jor Bagh in south Delhi.

In a bid to restore peace and harmony in Trilokpuri, which had seen clashes of two communities following a drunken brawl on Diwali night, 30 Hindu volunteers would lead five Muharram processions originating from Block 27 and 37 of the area.
  
Police has also roped in local volunteers to keep an eye on any suspicious activity and identify outsiders who may try to disrupt the peace in the locality.

Procession will remain restrained this time as devotees will not carry any combat weapons. They will also not inflict injuries on themselves using sharp-edged objects like blades, chains and whips which has been a tradition in such procession to mark the mourning.

Muharram is observed by Muslims to mourn the death of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad in the battle of Karbala.

Police personnel in anti-riot gear, including six additional companies of police, RAF and CRPF have been posted in Trilokpuri to deal with any situation in case of any emergency.

The processions here will start after the afternoon namaz (Zohar) and pass through routes which have already been identified and sterilized and end at the symbolic Karbala in Trilokpuri's Kotla.
  
Uneasy clam prevailed in Outer Delhi's Bawana with security being beefed up after Sunday's 'Mahapanchayat' demanding change in the procession route in the area claiming that it would disrupt traffic and businesses.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Centre may opt for fresh polls in Delhi

"If no government formation takes place, we will have no option but to hold elections. We will take a quick decision according to the suggestion of the Lt Governor," the government functionary said.
  
The NDA government nor the BJP was interested in doing anything "undemocratic" that will bring "disrepute" to the party as well as the government ahead of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand, he said.
  
By-elections for three assembly seats in Delhi are also to be held next month.
  
The Centre, on Tuesday, told the Supreme Court that the President has given his consent to the Lt Governor's proposal to invite BJP to form government.
  
Rapping the Centre and the LG over the delay, the apex court said that in a democracy President's Rule cannot go on forever and questioned why the authorities failed to act expeditiously.
  
At present, BJP and ally Akali Dal with one MLA, account for 29 legislators and will require the support of five more MLAs to prove majority in a House of 67 if it decides to form the government. The party is hoping of getting the support of expelled AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny and Independent MLA from Mundka Ramvir Shokeen.
  
The total strength of the Delhi Assembly is 70 and the three vacancies it has to be filled in by-elections late next month.
  
AAP had formed the government in Delhi with the support of Congress. The government led by Arvind Kejriwal had resigned on February 14 after the party's pet project, Janlokpal Bill, could not be passed due to opposition from BJP and Congress.
  
President's Rule was imposed in Delhi on February 17.
  
Jung had not favoured dissolution of the Delhi Assembly as recommended by the council of ministers headed by Kejriwal and kept the Assembly in suspended animation.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News