New Delhi, March 23
Two motorcycle-borne youths, who are allegedly involved in several criminal cases, opened fire at two police constables near a branch of Bank of Baroda in New Ashok Nagar today.

The incident took place when the policemen tried frisking the youths after finding their activities suspicious. One of the youths, Aehsan, a resident of Ghaziabad, was shot twice in his leg. He is being treated at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. His associate, Riyaz, was arrested from the site of the incident.

Aehsan is allegedly involved in 14 criminal cases while Riyaz in 11 cases.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Prabhakar said the incident took place when constables Amit and Sandeep were on motorcycle patrolling duty. "The constables had noticed these youths on separate motorcycles. They suspected their activities near the Maharaja Agrasen College in Vasundhara Enclave," said Prabhakar.

Aehsan and Riyaz opened fire at the constables when they were stopped and were about to be frisked. "In retaliation, constable Amit also fired from his service revolver," Prabhakar added.

Amit fired two shots which hit Aehsan in his left leg. They were overpowered by the constables.

Two country-made pistols were seized and two empty cartridges fired by both the boys were also found at the spot. 

New Delhi, March 23
A 22-year-old man was charred to death while three others were injured when a fire broke out in an under-renovation guesthouse in Rohini early this morning.

Mohammad Noor Ahmed (22), Danish (20), Mohammad Wasir Alam (22) and Saroj (22) were sleeping at Maharaja Agrasen Bhawan in Rohini Sector 8 when the fire broke out. The police took all to Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini, where Ahmed was declared brought dead.

Delhi Fire Service officials said they had received a call about the incident at 3.10 am. There was a heavy smoke emerging from the second floor of the four-storey building. Three fire tenders were initially sent to the site of the incident. But, as the fire could not be immediately controlled, seven more vehicles were dispatched to the location.

"A short-circuit in an air-conditioner is suspected to be the reason behind the blaze. The two upper most floors of the building were gutted," the official said.

New Delhi, March 23
Delhi University (DU) has issued its annual Holi guidelines detailing the security arrangements it has made to control the rowdy elements during the Holi week.

According to the notification, outsiders will not be allowed in the campus. Water balloons, colours, water pistols and playing Holi on the campus will not be allowed. Officials said that the move can be seen in the light of checking hooliganism. Apart from enlisting the help of the Delhi police and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), the university faculty and staff have also been roped in to avoid any impropriety.

According to the guidelines, playing Holi during working hours will not be permitted in any educational institute. Outsiders will be prohibited from entering colleges, departments and hostels which will be regulated through identity cards.

The police will be deployed at strategic locations on campus, apart from mobile patrolling.

"Senior DU officials will keep a check on the activities on the campus through CCTV cameras from the control room throughout the day. We have also put notices of control room helpline numbers in colleges," said a senior official. Police officials in plainclothes and uniform will also make rounds frequently, the official added.

Last year, the university had made elaborate security arrangements ahead of the festival from asking for assistance from the DTC buses plying on the campus to appointing student volunteers to check hooliganism. The nearby roadside dhabas were also shut down for a few days.

A helpline, 27667291, connected directly to the proctor's office will be jointly manned by DU, Delhi police and DTC on the North Campus. On the South Campus, the deputy dean of Students' Welfare office would be looking into the issue of discipline and can be reached for help on 24119832.