Delhi demolition drive: Day after clashes, security remains tight at Turkman Gate

Tight security arrangements will remain in place at Turkman Gate in central Delhi after a court-ordered anti-encroachment drive triggered clashes and pelting of stones in the area early Wednesday, police said on Thursday (January 8, 2025).

Adequate deployment of police personnel and paramilitary forces has been made to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, they said. “Senior officers are closely monitoring the situation. The area remains peaceful now,” a police officer said.

The clashes broke out early Wednesday when officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were carrying out an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque and a graveyard in the Ramlila Maidan area opposite Turkman Gate following directions of the Delhi High Court.

Trouble began after a section of the residents allegedly pelted stones at the police and civic staff, triggering chaos in the area.

Five policemen were injured in the violence, which prompted police to lob teargas shells to bring the situation under control.

Four men have been arrested, while a juvenile has been apprehended in connection with the violence.

An FIR has been registered in the case, and efforts are on to identify those who indulged in the violence by scanning CCTV camera footage and other video clips, police said.

According to sources, the trouble was sparked by a social media post claiming that the mosque was being demolished.