New Delhi: Following the Monday evening blast near the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and the surrounding areas were unlike any other normal Tuesday morning. When shops opened, the only topic of discussion in the markets was the explosion. Some expressed fear, while others attempted to return to normalcy. Amid the police cordon and the presence of forensic teams, the ETV Bharat team spoke with people present there.
Old Delhi’s pace seemed somewhat halted today. In the markets surrounding the Red Fort, people stood in small groups, chatting about Monday evening’s explosions. In the areas near the historic monument, hawkers, laborers, and some shop workers described the situation in the area after the blast. The Gauri Shankar Temple, located in the area, attracts a large number of devotees every day. The number of devotees there was negligible on Tuesday morning. The flower shops near the temple remained empty. Recalling the situation in the area after the explosion, Aditya Rajput said, “I was nearby and heard a loud explosion. I immediately came to see. People were running for their lives.”
Aditya claimed that the blast was so powerful that human remains were scattered everywhere. “I saw human body parts scattered everywhere. There was a huge crowd in the area at the time of the explosion. Shops closed immediately after the blast.” He demanded that the government should severely punish those involved in the blast.
Recounting the incident that shook Old Delhi, laborer Raju said, “This is a crowded area. After the explosion, complete chaos spread. I am now worried about my safety.”
Worker Sanjay Gupta said that such incidents raise security concerns. He told ETV Bharat, “I am a laborer. I sleep on the streets with my other friends. We are scared now. What will happen to us? How can we feel safe now?” Gupta further said, “The explosion occurred in the evening, when most people finish their work and leave for home.”
Eyewitness Parveen told ETV Bharat, “I was near the blast site. The explosion was so powerful that body parts were scattered on the road.” Street vendor Parveen said, “This has affected our work. Who would come to the market in such a situation? People are scared.”
Another laborer told ETV Bharat that the Delhi Police has cordoned off the area where the incident occurred. Hardev, a laborer who has been working in the Chandni Chowk area for the past 12 years, told ETV Bharat, “Yesterday’s incident has affected the market. We have been without work since morning.” What happened:
At least nine people were killed and 20 others injured in a car explosion near the Red Fort on Monday evening. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the blast site and also met the injured hospitalized.
Late Monday night, he wrote on Instagram, “I cannot express in words the loss of lives in the Delhi blast. My deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I visited the blast site and met the injured in the hospital. I wish them a speedy recovery.” The Home Minister said that top agencies are investigating the incident thoroughly.
High Alert:
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) wrote in a post on Instagram, “In view of the explosion in a vehicle near the Red Fort Metro Station, CISF-protected installations in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the Delhi Metro, Red Fort, government buildings, and IGI Airport, have been put on high alert.”
