New Delhi: Just four days later the communal clashes on Saturday, the demolition drive in Jahangipuri began today under heavy police forces. Properties are being destroyed in and around the mosque. Responding to the opposition’s allegations about the anti-encroachment drive officials said – the demolition was always on the plan.
Subsequently, the SC has stepped in and stayed the encroachment drive in violence-hit Jahangipuri. The court cited the demolition as unconstitutional and ordered a ‘status quo; hearing tomorrow. A petition was filed in the apex court stating- that no prior notice was furnished to the residents and cited the demolition only as a religious activity rather than an anti-encroachment drive.
Bulldozers rammed up structures set up in the midst of the roads. Around 400 personnel from Delhi Police were deployed to maintain law and order situations during the demolition activity. Seven bulldozers and hundreds of North Delhi Municipal corporation employees were involved in the demolition drive. Prior to the demolition, the Special Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak reached Jahangirpuri to take stock of the law and order ahead of the drive.
So far 25 adults and two juveniles have been arrested and are being interrogated.