In Shorts
- Anti-encroachment operation near Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque turns chaotic with stone pelting at police.
- Five police officers sustain injuries as authorities use tear gas to restore order.
- Multiple people detained and FIR registered as normalcy returns after heavy security deployment.
In the early hours of Wednesday, a high-tension anti-encroachment operation near Turkman Gate in Delhi escalated into violent clashes, leaving at least five police personnel injured. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, acting under a court directive to remove unauthorized structures close to the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque and adjacent graveyard, initiated the drive late Tuesday night.
Soon after machinery including bulldozers and demolition teams arrived, rumors spread among local residents that the mosque was to be targeted, drawing a crowd of around 100 to 150 people. Some in the group began throwing stones and glass bottles at police and civic workers, prompting a swift response from security forces.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan confirmed that at least five officers suffered minor injuries in the stone-pelting incident. Police deployed tear gas shells to disperse the agitated crowd and regain control of the area.
Several individuals were detained on the spot, including a juvenile, and a First Information Report has been filed under relevant sections of the law covering obstruction of public servants and rioting. Authorities are examining CCTV footage and other video evidence to identify further suspects involved in the unrest.
Officials clarified that the demolition targeted illegal constructions, including a banquet hall and a diagnostic centre, on around 36,000 square feet of encroached public land. They stressed that the mosque structure itself was not damaged during the operation.
Security forces maintained a strong presence in the area following the clashes, with barricades and additional policing measures put in place to prevent any further disturbances. For several hours, major thoroughfares around Turkman Gate were sealed off, contributing to a subdued atmosphere in the normally busy neighbourhood.
Police reiterated that the action was carried out in compliance with legal orders and appealed to the public not to fall victim to misinformation that could inflame tensions. Law enforcement officials have assured strict action against those responsible for the violence as the investigation continues.
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