Major Demolition Drive in Delhi Targets Illegal Settlements

In the Ashok Vihar area of Delhi, a significant demolition operation is underway, specifically targeting illegal shanties in the Jailarwala Bagh locality. Authorities have deployed a substantial police presence and set up barricades in anticipation of potential resistance. As part of the ongoing anti-encroachment initiative, over 200 illegal shanties are scheduled for demolition today. This action is being carried out under a court order, with officials emphasizing that similar campaigns have been conducted in the past.

 

It is noteworthy that residents displaced from previous demolitions were provided with permanent DDA flats. Today's operation is being executed under strict security measures to maintain law and order during the evacuations. Meanwhile, political tensions have escalated regarding the situation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been vocal in its criticism of the Delhi government. AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj stated that former MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi was taken into police custody for opposing the BJP government's bulldozer actions, which they claim are targeting the homes of the poor.

 

Following this, AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the BJP. He posted on social media questioning the BJP's intentions, asking if they aim to demolish all shanties in Delhi, and recalled Prime Minister Modi's earlier promise that where there are shanties, there will be homes. A senior police officer confirmed that two companies of paramilitary forces are present at the site alongside Delhi police to ensure that law and order is maintained. This marks the second demolition campaign in the area this month. After a previous operation on June 2, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta remarked, 'If encroachments occur on a railway line and an accident happens, who will be responsible?' Similar campaigns have also taken place in recent weeks in the landless camps and Madras Camp in South-East Delhi.