NEW DELHI: Multiple police personnel were injured during a demolition drive in central Delhi early on Wednesday after locals and miscreants attacked them with stones. The police is trying to identify the miscreants who engaged in stone-pelting and will initiate strict action against them.
Delhi Police have registered an FIR against unknown persons and around 10 people have been detained for questioning so far, officials said.
Demolition drive at Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Turkman Gate in Delhi on Wednesday. Image Credit: Tarun Rawat/TNN
Police are scanning CCTV footage, ground visuals and body-camera recordings to identify those involved in the attack on the police team. While the FIR has been lodged against unidentified persons, investigators said four to five suspects have already been identified and further legal action will follow.Special commissioner (Law and Order) Ravindra Yadav said that the action started around 1 am.“MCD conducted demolition as per the high court’s orders on the encroached land. Stones were pelted at the police at night. We used minimal force to push back.”DCP (Central) Nidhin Valsan said, “The action is still ongoing. We deployed our staff for security. 4 to 5 officers suffered minor injuries. As soon as we get the CCTV camera footage, ground footage, and body camera footage, we will identify the miscreants and take legal action.”The demolition was carried out by the MCD to remove illegal constructions around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area. 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.The administration appealed to local residents to maintain peace.Anticipating major disruptions, the Delhi Traffic Police also issued a traffic advisory, warning of congestion on several key roads on Wednesday. Traffic around Ramlila Maidan and adjoining areas is expected to remain affected through the day.
