Delhi Police Act Against Violence During Anti-Encroachment Drive
Violence Erupts During Demolition Near Mosque
New Delhi, Jan 7: On Wednesday, the Delhi Police initiated an FIR and took five individuals into custody following violent incidents that occurred during an anti-encroachment operation near the Syed Faiz Elahi Mosque in the Ramlila Maidan area.
Authorities reported that the detained individuals are being questioned, and efforts are underway to review CCTV footage for further insights.
Investigators are working to determine whether the violence was a spontaneous reaction or a coordinated effort to obstruct the demolition process, according to an official statement.
Senior police officials are currently analyzing CCTV recordings and social media videos to identify those responsible for the unrest.
Witness statements and accounts from the detained individuals are also being collected as part of the ongoing investigation.
The FIR has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 221 (Obstructing a public servant), 132 (Assaulting a public servant), and 191 (Rioting), among others.
Reports indicate that at least five police officers sustained injuries when individuals allegedly threw stones and glass bottles at them during a court-ordered demolition conducted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on land adjacent to the mosque and a nearby graveyard.
To restore order, tear gas shells were deployed to disperse the crowd.
In a statement, an MCD official confirmed that the Syed Faiz Elahi Mosque remained unharmed during the demolition operation, which was executed in accordance with the Delhi High Court's directives.
Approximately 30 bulldozers and 50 dumpers were utilized to clear encroachments and remove debris from the site, as stated by the civic body.
More than 300 MCD workers and officials participated in the operation, which extended into the night, successfully clearing a significant area of illegal structures as designated by the court.
The police have maintained law and order in the vicinity as a precaution. A senior officer assured that the situation is stable and normalcy has been restored, emphasizing that strict legal measures will be enforced against those involved in the violence.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.