• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Protests erupted early Tuesday morning in northwest Delhi's Mangolpuri area as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolished portions of a mosque, citing alleged encroachment, amidst heavy police deployment. The MCD, accompanied by local police and paramilitary personnel, initiated the demolition at the Y block of Mangolpuri at 6 am, which quickly drew locals who began protesting.

Despite reports of stone pelting, police officials denied any such incidents. Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer) Jimmy Chiram confirmed that while some people objected to the demolition, the situation was brought under control. The demolition drive, initially aimed at removing illegal structures, was temporarily halted after a few walls were taken down due to the strength of some encroachments requiring heavy machinery.

The MCD reported successfully removing 20 meters of an unauthorised wall in Municipal Park, Mangolpuri, Ward No 42, Rohini Zone. However, the situation escalated as several protesters, including women, formed a human chain around the mosque, complicating the law and order situation. 

ALSO READ: Weather Update: Monsoon Likely To Hit Delhi-NCR On July 1; Heavy Rain To Drench Bihar, MP

Efforts to disperse the crowd safely were unsuccessful, prompting the MCD to halt the demolition to maintain peace and order, following a request from the police.

"The MCD remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing the rule of law and ensuring the orderly development of the city. We are currently in the process of rescheduling the encroachment removal program and will provide updates as further developments occur," an MCD official said as quoted by India Today.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Speaker Election: Om Birla And K Suresh In Fray To Compete For The Key Post; Voting At 11 AM Today

The municipal body said that a report regarding this issue has also been filed in the High Court and further action would be taken accordingly.