The national capital, Delhi, witnessed a significant incident on Tuesday night when an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque at Turkman Gate escalated into a violent clash between local residents and the police. During the operation, a mob reportedly pelted stones at the police and MCD teams, resulting in injuries to five police personnel, while in the aftermath of this incident, Samajwadi Party MP Mohibullah Nadvi has been implicated, with allegations that he incited the crowd. The police are set to question him soon regarding his alleged involvement.
The Anti-Encroachment Drive and Public Resistance
An extensive operation was launched on Tuesday night to clear encroachments around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area of Delhi. A substantial contingent of Delhi Police and MCD teams was deployed to the site, while police forces were positioned around 12 AM, followed by the arrival of approximately 32 bulldozers, 50 dumpers, and over two hundred laborers by 12:30 AM. The demolition was scheduled to commence at 1 AM, but before it could. Begin, a large crowd of local residents started gathering, creating a tense atmosphere.
Stone-Pelting and Police Response
As the anti-encroachment process was about to start, local residents began to protest. Around 1:15 AM, the police attempted to disperse the crowd, but the situation quickly deteriorated. At approximately 1:23 AM, the mob suddenly began pelting stones at the police and MCD teams. This violent outburst lasted for about ten minutes, during which five police personnel sustained injuries. To bring the situation under control, the police were compelled to. Use force, including tear gas shells, to disperse the crowd and rioters. Following the incident, 10 individuals were taken into custody, and a case has been registered, with investigations currently underway.
Allegations Against SP MP Mohibullah Nadvi
Samajwadi Party MP Mohibullah Nadvi's name has emerged in connection with this entire sequence of events, while he stands accused of being present at the scene during the stone-pelting incident and allegedly inciting the public. Mohibullah Nadvi currently serves as a Samajwadi Party MP and is also the Imam of the Parliament Street Mosque. The police will now interrogate him to ascertain his role in the incident. These allegations Notably heighten the gravity of the situation, especially given that an elected representative is accused of instigating a crowd during such a sensitive operation.
Local Residents' Perspective
Muslim residents living in the lane near Turkman Gate have strongly condemned the MCD's action, labeling it as entirely wrong, while local Muslim women claimed that the MCD should have only demolished the encroached area, but instead, they allegedly tore down a portion of the mosque. They stated that this act angered the public, leading to the confrontation, while these claims raise questions about the legality and sensitivity of the operation, particularly when it involves the demolition of structures associated with religious sites.
Timeline and Aftermath of the Operation
Despite the stone-pelting and clashes, the bulldozer operation commenced at 1:30 AM. The demolition continued relentlessly until morning, successfully removing all encroachments. Currently, the work of clearing debris from the site is ongoing. This incident has once again highlighted the potential for tension and law and order challenges during anti-encroachment drives in Delhi, while it underscores the need for greater vigilance and preparedness from the police and administration for future operations to ensure they're conducted peacefully and to prevent any form of violence.
