Violence Erupts During Demolition Drive Near Delhi Mosque
Tension briefly gripped Old Delhi’s Turkman Gate area early Wednesday after a court-mandated demolition drive near a mosque turned violent. Miscreants allegedly attempted to breach police barricades and hurled stones at security personnel, leaving several police officers injured.
The situation was brought under control after police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order, officials said.
What Triggered the Clash at Turkman Gate
Court-Ordered Anti-Encroachment Drive
The incident occurred during a pre-dawn demolition drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area.
According to MCD officials, the drive began around 1 am and aimed to remove unauthorised constructions built on encroached land. Many of these structures were reportedly around 100 years old.
The demolition was conducted following clear directions from the Delhi High Court to remove encroachments from land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard at Ramlila Maidan.
Stone Pelting and Attempt to Breach Barricades
Police Personnel Injured
As the demolition work was underway, a group of people allegedly tried to break through police barricades and began throwing stones at officers deployed at the site.
Police officials confirmed that four to five personnel suffered minor injuries during the incident. Security forces acted swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating further.
To disperse the crowd and ensure safety, police fired tear gas shells, after which the area was cleared and normalcy was restored.
Detentions and Police Action
FIR Registered Under Multiple Sections
Delhi Police have registered a case in connection with the violence, invoking several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
According to officials, offences have been registered under Sections 221, 132, 121, 191(2), 191(3), 223(a) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
Five people were detained for questioning, and their alleged involvement is being verified through CCTV footage, mobile phone videos, and other digital evidence.
High Court Case Still Under Consideration
Mosque Committee Challenges Demolition
Interestingly, the demolition drive went ahead even as the Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a petition filed by the managing committee of Masjid Syed Elahi.
The petition challenges the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s decision to remove what it describes as alleged encroachments on land adjoining the mosque and graveyard.
Despite the notice, officials said the demolition was carried out strictly in accordance with earlier court orders.
Security Tightened in the Area
Police Remain on Alert
Following the incident, security was increased in and around Turkman Gate to prevent any further disturbances. Senior officers said additional forces were deployed as a precautionary measure.
Police officials stated that the situation remains under control and that strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for instigating violence or damaging public property.
Administration Appeals for Calm
Call for Peace and Cooperation
Authorities have appealed to local residents to maintain peace and cooperate with officials as legal processes continue.
Officials reiterated that the demolition drive was not targeted at any religious structure but focused solely on removing illegal constructions as per court directions.
The brief violence during the demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque highlights the sensitivity surrounding anti-encroachment actions in densely populated areas of Old Delhi.
While the situation was swiftly controlled, the incident has once again underlined the challenges faced by civic authorities and police while enforcing court orders on the ground.
Investigations are ongoing, and police say further action will be taken based on evidence collected from CCTV cameras and mobile footage.
