Delhi Demolition Drive Near Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque: Police Clash During MCD Action | Delhi News

NEW DELHI: At least five police personnel were injured on Wednesday after incidents of stone-pelting were reported during an early-morning demolition drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) at an encroached area near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan.The action, which began around 1am, it was undertaken in compliance with directions of the Delhi high court, according to an official statement from Delhi Police.

To ensure law and order during the exercise, Delhi Police put in place elaborate security arrangements. The area was divided into nine zones, each overseen by an additional deputy commissioner of police, with personnel deployed at all sensitive points. Officials said the planning aimed to prevent any disruption and ensure the court-mandated action proceeded smoothly. Ahead of the demolition, police and civic authorities held multiple coordination meetings with members of the Aman Committee and local stakeholders as part of confidence-building measures to maintain peace in the area. Despite these precautions, officials said a brief disturbance occurred when a few individuals allegedly resorted to stone-pelting during the operation.

The situation was swiftly brought under control with what police described as “measured and minimal use of force,” preventing any escalation. Joint commissioner of police (central range) Madhur Verma said normalcy was restored quickly. “A few miscreants attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting. The situation was promptly controlled through minimal force,” he said. DCP Nidhin Valsan confirmed that four to five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the incident.

“The action is still ongoing. MCD is carrying out demolition as per the High Court’s orders on encroached land. Stones were pelted at the police during the night, and minimal force was used to push back the crowd. Overall, the process remained smooth,” he said, adding that CCTV, ground and body-camera footage would be examined to identify those involved and initiate legal action. Around 17 bulldozers were pressed into service to clear the unauthorised structures, officials said.

Delhi Police reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order while implementing judicial directives in a lawful and sensitive manner. Meanwhile, a separate demolition drive was carried out earlier this week in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district, where the Municipal Corporation razed an illegal G+3 structure near Mahakal Chowk. Officials said the building had been constructed without mandatory permissions. Ujjain municipal corporation assistant commissioner Deepak Sharma said a notice had been served on the owner, Noor Jahan, wife of Ghulam Mohammad, but construction continued despite the matter being taken to court and no stay being granted. “Since the construction did not stop, action was taken with the support of the police administration to demolish the unauthorised structure,” he said. Police personnel were deployed at the Ujjain site as well, with traffic diversions put in place to ensure smooth movement during the demolition.(With agency inputs)