Rising Gang Violence in Delhi’s Yamuna Bank Area Leaves Residents in Fear

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th July. The densely populated area east of the Yamuna River in Delhi, known as Jamnapaar, has been experiencing significant unrest for the past three months due to rampant gang wars that have resulted in numerous homicides. The recent shooting at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital has further highlighted the gravity of the situation. The area is dominated by notorious criminals such as Hajim Baba and major gangs led by Nasir and Irfan Chenu. These larger gangs have spawned numerous smaller factions, including groups formed by local youths.

According to The Times of India, there have been approximately 20 murders in East Delhi since May. On May 2, Raj Kumar was killed near Karawal Nagar, an act attributed to personal enmity. On May 5, Nazir, also known as Nanhe, was murdered in Jafrabad. Nazir, 35, was a witness to his brother’s murder and was attacked in broad daylight by four youths. The police suspect gang involvement despite the attackers claiming Nazir had threatened them days before. Nazir’s brother, Amir, was allegedly killed by Almas alias Allu’s gang, which is associated with gangster Chenu Pehalwan.

The violence continued with the murder of 34-year-old Nazim in Jafrabad on May 10, followed by the killing of 23-year-old Sufiyan in New Usmanpur on May 14. On May 17, the murder of 20-year-old Iqbal in Seelampur left residents in shock. Another murder occurred on May 21 in Jafrabad, where 26-year-old Shahbaz was killed. On May 29, Suraj, a hardware store owner, was shot dead in Welcome area after a confrontation with shooter Rahul. Suraj’s murder was linked to extortion disputes.

A brief respite was shattered on June 16 with the murder of 34-year-old Vicky in New Usmanpur. Less than a month later, on July 11, a 16-year-old boy from Kabir Nagar was fatally shot in Jafrabad amidst gang clashes. His 17-year-old brother witnessed the incident. The police investigation revealed the murder was due to a feud between two local gangs.

Gangster Hajim Baba remains highly active in the region. A longtime fan of actor Sanjay Dutt, Hajim maintains long hair and prefers to be called ‘Baba’ by his goons. He began his criminal career in East Delhi’s gambling dens before joining Nasir’s gang, engaging in murder, robbery, and extortion. After Nasir was imprisoned, Hajim took over the gang, eventually forming his own faction. Irfan alias Chenu Pehalwan, despite being incarcerated under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act in Tihar Jail, continues to run extortion and betting operations through his gang members. Chenu has a close association with gangster Neeraj Bawana and is considered Hajim Baba’s arch-rival.

Another emerging figure is Mohammad Sameer, known as Maya. Sameer, the leader of the Maya gang, gained notoriety last year for his involvement in the murder of an Amazon executive in Bhajanpura. His Instagram account features numerous photos and videos displaying various weapons, including a video where he fires them.

The escalating violence poses a significant challenge for law enforcement in East Delhi, with residents living in constant fear amidst the ongoing gang wars.