NEW DELHI: Mass violence erupted in the walled city of Old Delhi this morning [Feb 2] after a Muslim religious leader was taken into custody by Police. The riots led to the death of at least eight persons and injuries to about 100 persons, officials said. An indefinite curfew was imposed on the affected areas. Syed Abdullah Bukhari, Imam of the Moghul-built Jama Masjid … was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security. … It was one of the most serious disturbances in the capital for years. The All-India radio claimed that trouble started when 500 supporters of the Imam broke up a meeting of the Delhi Waqf Board and attempted to assault a Federal Minister, Mr Shahnawaz Khan, who was to preside over the meeting.

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Riyadh,] King Faisal has approved plans to keep developing Saudi Arabia’s armed forces to defend the kingdom against any threat and to protect liberty, stability and the kingdom’s resources. … Under [the] defence policy … the King … has the power to declare war or end it. … The policy makes military service a duty for all citizens except children or civil servants and soldiers in Saudi delegations abroad.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2025

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