Five Detained After Alleged Stone Pelting During Demolition Drive Near Delhi Mosque

Five Detained After Alleged Stone Pelting During Demolition Drive Near Delhi Mosque
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Delhi Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the allegdly stone-pelting incident during the demolition drive near a mosque, Clarion India reported.

The demolition was carried out by the MCD to remove illegal constructions around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area of old Delhi. The drive kicked off around 1 am, with around 17 bulldozers pressed into service.

The action followed an order of the Delhi High Court, which declared a dispensary and a community hall adjoining the mosque illegal and directed their removal.

As the demolition got underway, a large number of residents gathered outside the mosque, raising slogans and protesting against the action.

The situation soon turned volatile when some members of the crowd attempted to breach police barricades and allegedly began pelting stones at security personnel. Police responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesters and prevent the unrest from spreading.

The police said that they identified 10 individuals and have detained them. Search for others is underway.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi High Court had issued a notice on a petition filed by the managing committee of Masjid Syed Elahi, which challenged the MCD’s decision to remove what it termed as alleged encroachments from land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard at Ramlila Maidan.

Civic authorities, however, maintained that the action was in line with court directions concerning unauthorised constructions.