Tension briefly flared in parts of Old Delhi early on Wednesday after a pre-dawn demolition drive to remove alleged illegal encroachments near a mosque sparked protests, stone-pelting, and police intervention, officials said.
The situation was later brought under control with the use of tear gas and the deployment of additional security personnel. The incident took place near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area, close to Ramlila Ground, where authorities carried out a late-night anti-encroachment operation.
Officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said the drive was aimed at clearing unauthorised structures from land adjoining the mosque and surrounding areas, in accordance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court. The demolition began in the early hours of Wednesday amid heavy deployment of civic and police staff.
Between 10 and 17 bulldozers were pressed into service as part of the MCD’s ongoing citywide campaign against encroachments, officials said. As the operation commenced, a large number of local residents gathered near the mosque, raising slogans and protesting against the action.
The situation turned tense when some protesters allegedly attempted to breach police barricades and began hurling stones at security personnel. Police responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and prevent the situation from escalating. Senior officials said adequate forces had been deployed in anticipation of resistance and that order was restored swiftly, as reported by IANS.
No major injuries were reported, though security in the area was tightened as a precaution. The demolition continued despite pending legal proceedings related to the site. On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court had issued a notice on a petition filed by the managing committee of Masjid Syed Elahi, challenging the MCD’s move to remove what it described as alleged encroachments from land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard at Ramlila Maidan.
Civic authorities maintained that the action was carried out in compliance with court directions regarding unauthorised constructions. Residents, however, strongly opposed the drive, alleging it was conducted without adequate consultation and would adversely affect the community. Civic officials reiterated that the operation was lawful and aimed at reclaiming public land.
