Bulldozers, Tear Gas, and Protests: Delhi's Turkman Gate Erupts in Chaos Amid Demolition Drive
Image Source: Internet
A tense standoff unfolded in Central Delhi's Turkman Gate on Tuesday and Wednesday, as authorities embarked on a demolition drive to remove encroachments around the century-old Faiz-e-Elahi mosque. The situation escalated into violence, with police resorting to tear gas shells and a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. According to eyewitnesses, locals had been protesting and raising slogans against the demolition drive, which they claimed was carried out without prior notice. The authorities, however, maintained that they had informed the locals about the plan and had even shown them a map of the area to be demolished. The demolition drive began at 1:30 am on Wednesday, with bulldozers tearing down a banquet hall, a private diagnostics centre, and a room where Haj pilgrims stayed. The police also removed portions of a road, a footpath, and a car park. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when some locals started pelting stones at the police. In response, the police used tear gas shells and a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Five people were detained in connection with the incident. Locals have denied the police's version of events, claiming that the police used excessive force and that most of the stone pelters were 'outsiders'. They alleged that the police threw tear gas shells into people's houses, causing discomfort to residents, including children. The demolition drive was ordered by the Delhi High Court, which had issued a notice to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other agencies to remove the encroachments around the mosque. The mosque committee had challenged the MCD's decision, claiming that the property in question was being used by them and that they were paying lease rent to the Delhi Waqf Board. The incident has raised questions about the handling of the situation by the authorities and the impact of the demolition drive on the local community. An investigation into the matter is underway, with the police registering an FIR against the detained individuals. The events surrounding the demolition drive are as follows: - Tuesday, 3:30 pm: The Delhi High Court issues a notice to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other agencies to remove the encroachments around the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque. - Tuesday, 10:30 pm: Thirty-two bulldozers reach the spot, ready to remove the encroachments. - Tuesday, 11 pm: The police heighten security, deploying nine additional commissioners of police, 25 assistant commissioners, and 800 personnel from local police, along with 10 companies of paramilitary forces. - Tuesday, 11:30 pm: Locals start gathering around the mosque. - Wednesday, 1 am: Authorities decide to carry out the demolition, asking locals to leave the premises. - Wednesday, 1:30 am: Demolition starts after police use tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. - Wednesday, 10 am: Five people are detained in connection with the incident.
