Bulldozers Hit Jahangirpuri For Anti-Encroachment Drive In Delhi’s Violence
Several structures in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area were demolished today by nine bulldozers, days after communal clashes erupted during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.
The BJP-controlled North Delhi Municipal Corporation conducted the anti-encroachment drive with a heavy police presence in the area to avoid any law and order issues.
The exercise comes after Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta wrote to the mayor of the civic body, requesting that he identify and demolish any illegal structures built by “rioters” in the area.
The mayor of North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Raja Iqbal Singh, described it as a “routine exercise,” according to news agency PTI. However, the timing of the drive, especially since it coincides with the BJP’s chief letter, has raised concerns about political motivations. Special Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak and other senior officers surveyed the area this morning in preparation for the eviction drive. Mr Pathak told reporters, “Adequate force is on the ground to supervise the encroachment drive.”
According to PTI, the civic body sought at least 400 police officers for the two-day anti-encroachment drive that began today.
In a letter to the police, the municipal corporation stated that in Jahangirpuri, a joint anti-encroachment programme involving the Public Works Department, the Health and Sanitation Department, and others is planned.
In a letter to the police, the North Corporation’s Assistant Commissioner wrote, “You (police) are therefore requested to provide at least 400 police personnel including lady police/outer force for maintaining law and order during the encroachment removal action on April 20 or April 21 (9.30 am onwards) as per your convenience for three days.”
According to the police, the clashes erupted when an unlicensed Hanuman Jayanti procession took a route that ran alongside a mosque. Around the same time as the azaan, or Muslim call to prayer, the “shobhayatra” passed by the mosque, with religious music blasting. Two groups began arguing, and both sides threw stones at each other, as well as firing shots.
The incident injured nine people, including eight police officers.
In connection with the violence, 25 people have been arrested so far.
Local Muslims claim that those in the procession were armed and attempted to vandalise the mosque. The procession’s participants admitted to carrying weapons, but blamed the violence on the Muslims.
The clashes, according to right-wing groups, were pre-planned. After being questioned by Delhi Police, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Prem Sharma claimed that the violence was planned and that this was why so many bricks were stored on the mosque’s rooftop.
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