Delhi Demolition Drive Turns Violent Near Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque at Turkman Gate
PTI
An anti-encroachment demolition drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque and an adjoining graveyard at Turkman Gate turned violent in the early hours of Wednesday, leading to clashes between locals and police personnel. The incident resulted in injuries to five Delhi Police personnel, prompting the use of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
What Happened During the Drive
According to officials, the demolition drive was conducted on land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard at Ramlila Maidan. Though the exercise was initially scheduled to begin at 8 am, authorities began the operation around 1.30 am, citing law-and-order considerations.
As bulldozers and earth-movers moved in to clear the alleged encroachments, clashes broke out, with some individuals allegedly pelting stones and glass bottles at the police. Videos circulating among local residents later showed heavy machinery demolishing parts of the disputed area, while large contingents of police stood guard.
Police Action and Official Statements
Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said that five people were detained following the violence and that police had identified other suspects through images and footage. “They will be arrested soon,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
The Delhi Police said tear gas shells were used to control the situation and restore order. Deputy Commissioner of Police Nidhin Valsan stated that minimal force was employed. “Stones were pelted at the police at night. We used minimal force to push back. Apart from that, the overall process was very smooth,” he said.
Valsan added that miscreants involved in the violence would be identified using CCTV footage, ground visuals, and body camera recordings, and legal action would follow.
Legal Background of the Demolition
The demolition drive stems from a petition filed by the managing committee of Masjid Syed Elahi, which challenged the MCD’s decision to remove alleged encroachments from land adjoining the mosque and graveyard.
Earlier, on December 22, the MCD issued a notice declaring that all structures beyond 0.195 acres were liable for demolition. The civic body stated that no documentary evidence had been produced by the Delhi Waqf Board’s managing committee to establish lawful ownership or possession of the disputed land. The 0.195-acre area houses the mosque itself.
The action followed a Delhi High Court order in November, which directed the MCD and the Public Works Department (PWD) to clear 38,940 square feet of encroachments at Ramlila Ground near Turkman Gate within three months.
Current Situation
Following the clashes, normalcy was restored in the area, though security remains tight. The incident has once again brought attention to the challenges of executing court-mandated demolition drives in densely populated and sensitive areas of the national capital.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The Turkman Gate demolition drive highlights the recurring tension between civic enforcement and community sentiment in urban India. While court orders and land regulations must be upheld, transparency, timing, and effective communication remain crucial to prevent violence and ensure public trust during such operations.