Stone-Pelting During Demolition Near Delhi Mosque, Police Use Tear Gas; 5 Officers Injured

Stone-Pelting, Tear Gas as Anti-Encroachment Drive Near Delhi Mosque Leaves 5 Cops Injured.

Illegal encroachments around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Ramlila Ground in Turkman Gate, Delhi, were removed during a late-night demolition drive on Wednesday, which turned tense after stone pelting and sloganeering by a crowd. Around 17 bulldozers were deployed for the operation, and at least five police officers sustained minor injuries.

An FIR has been filed, and five people have been detained so far. Police said others involved are being identified using body cam and CCTV footage.

As demolition began, crowds gathered outside the mosque, raising slogans and attempting to breach barricades. Police used tear gas and mild force to disperse the mob. Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams were deployed to secure inner lanes, and drone cameras monitored the area.

DCP Nidhin Valsan said, “About 25-30 people pelted stones at police. There was a banquet hall and a dispensary demolished. The drive was conducted at night to avoid inconvenience. The situation is now fully under control.”

Joint Commissioner Madhur Verma added that the demolition was court-ordered and most troublemakers were outsiders, who will not be spared.