Delhi police use drone cameras in Trilokpuri

New Delhi: Five days after clashes, curfew-bound Trilokpuri has observed a new "creature" in the sky: Drone-mounted cameras, which police say are used to search rooftops for potential missiles - bricks, stones and empty bottles.

The residents had stashed them away - meaning to use them if clashes break out again. But the drones have made them them wary. Hindu or Muslim, all insist they are under aggressive police scrutiny. Fear lies heavy on the area, which, 30 years ago, had witnessed the worst of Sikh massacre after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

But this is precisely why the surveillance is necessary, the police argue. Communal violence is a familiar feature in this sprawling East Delhi colony. Even now, every other day, there is tension over trivial issues. "We are monitoring things very closely. The drones were used to identify areas where people were collecting bricks," said Joint CommisBeniwal.

A mata ki chowki set up near a closed mosque had been at the centre of the latest flare-up, which took place last week on Diwali. A coherent narrative of what happened is still missing. But the clashes had continued for several days, in which 19 people - 13 of them police personnel - have been injured.

Over 70 people have been arrested so far and the curfew - still in place - was lifted for a few hours for the first time on Tuesday, when only women and children were allowed to venture out.