Turkman Gate: Violence during anti-encroachment drive, police detain ten people

Five police personnel were injured when locals pelted stones during an anti-encroachment drive near Turkman Gate in Delhi's Ram Leela Maidan area early on Wednesday. Ten people have been detained in this regard.

The Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) had launched the drive against illegal structures around the Dargaah Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque near Turkman Gate, following a Delhi High Court order. The incident occurred during this drive.

Senior police officer Nidhin Valsan told the media that around 25-30 people pelted stones at police teams, injuring five police personnel. He said, "We had to use tear gas to control the situation. There was a banquet hall and a dispensary that were demolished. The action was taken late at night so that the public would not face any inconvenience."

Earlier, in a statement, Joint Commissioner of Delhi's Central Range, Madhur Verma, said that the entire area was divided into nine zones with each being monitored by an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police rank officer. Adequate police force was deployed at all sensitive locations.

The statement said that before the demolition drive, several meetings were held with peace committee members and other local stakeholders to ensure peace and avoid any unpleasant incident, and all precautionary and confidence-building measures were taken.

New Delhi, January 7 (UNI) In the national capital, an anti-encroachment drive was carried out near the mosque and Dargaah Faiz-e-Ilahi complex at Turkman Gate around 1 am, and Section 144 and 163 were imposed till around 7 am.

The treasurer of the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque administration told UNI that a notice was issued about two to three months ago, and all decisions were taken in haste without giving them a chance to present their case. There was a hearing in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, and a decision was to be taken on the future course of action, but the demolition drive was carried out before the hearing.

Social activist and local resident Shafiq Dehlvi termed the entire action as one-sided and said it was done at the behest of the Sewa Foundation. Local resident Nawabuddin expressed dissatisfaction with the action, saying it was one-sided and the mosque administration should also have been allowed to present their case. The action has caused immense inconvenience to local residents and is causing difficulty in coming and going.

Where the action was taken, some locals welcomed and termed it correct, while others called it biased and unacceptable. The youth say it is not entirely correct, while the elderly see it as correct in the context of peace and order.

Talking to the reporter, a youth said, "There was a dispensary here that benefited people, and treatment was available at a low cost. But now, medical facilities have also been demolished due to the demolition drive."

It is clear that the demolition drive was carried out by the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) against illegal encroachments. The action was taken amidst tight security, and during this, some miscreants also pelted stones, resulting in the Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), and CRPF using tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Regarding the issue of offering five-time prayers in the mosque, the administration has asked all locals to avoid praying there until the situation returns to normal.

The statement said that during the demolition, some miscreants tried to disrupt the situation by pelting stones, but the situation was brought under control immediately. Using minimal and limited force, the police controlled the situation and restored normalcy without any major confrontation. The Delhi Police said it is committed to implementing court orders within the legal framework and maintaining public peace.

Senior police officers have identified three of the detained individuals as Mohammed Arib (25), Mohammed Kaif (23), and Mohammed Kashif (25), all residents of Turkman Gate. A senior officer said, "Based on video footage, the identities of other stone-pelters are being ascertained, and they will also be arrested."

In this case, an FIR has been registered under sections 221, 132, 121, 191(2), 191(3), 223(A), 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. Further investigation is underway.

Senior police officer Nidhin Valsan told the media that around 25-30 people pelted stones at police teams, injuring five police personnel. He said, "We had to use tear gas to control the situation. There was a banquet hall and a dispensary that were demolished. The action was taken late at night so that the public would not face any inconvenience." He added that action would be taken against those involved in stone-pelting.

Earlier, in a statement, Joint Commissioner of Delhi's Central Range, Madhur Verma, said that the entire area was divided into nine zones with each being monitored by an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police rank officer. Adequate police force was deployed at all sensitive locations.

The statement said that before the demolition drive, several meetings were held with peace committee members and other local stakeholders to ensure peace and avoid any unpleasant incident, and all precautionary and confidence-building measures were taken.

IPS Verma said that during the demolition, some miscreants tried to disrupt the situation by pelting stones, but the situation was brought under control immediately, resulting in normalcy without any confrontation. The Delhi Police is taking all possible measures to ensure peace and order as per court orders.

Delhi Home Minister Aashish Sood said the stone-pelting incident that occurred during the anti-encroachment drive near the mosque at Turkman Gate is unfortunate.

Mr. Sood said in a statement that some commercial establishments around the mosque were operating illegally and were being demolished as per court orders. It is wrong to stop or hinder the work being done within the legal framework. Some criminal and miscreant elements have resorted to protest and violence in opposition to the action, which is unacceptable.

He said the identities of those involved in the incident have been ascertained, and action is being taken against them as per law. So far, five people have been arrested in this case.

He clearly stated that the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque is completely safe. The action is being taken only against illegal commercial establishments that fall under court orders. There is no malice or ill-intention on the part of the government.

Delhi Cabinet Minister appealed to all citizens not to get swayed by any kind of provocation. Those who take the law into their own hands will face strict action. He also requested all peace-loving people to identify such miscreant elements and cooperate with the administration to maintain harmony and peace.

It is clear that the Delhi Municipal Corporation had launched an anti-encroachment drive near the mosque at Turkman Gate on Wednesday. Five police personnel were injured in stone-pelting during the drive.