New Delhi, 07 January (H.S.): In compliance with Delhi High Court directives, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) conducted a demolition drive early Wednesday morning around Faiz-e-Ilahi Masjid near Turkman Gate and Ram Leela Maidan, targeting encroached areas.

To ensure the operation proceeded peacefully and smoothly, Delhi Police implemented comprehensive law-and-order arrangements. The area was divided into nine zones, each overseen by Additional Deputy Commissioner-rank officers. Adequate police forces were deployed at sensitive locations.

Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma stated that several coordination meetings were held beforehand with peace committee members and local representatives to maintain calm and prevent any untoward incidents. All necessary precautionary and confidence-building measures were taken.

During the drive, some anti-social elements attempted to disrupt proceedings by pelting stones, but police swiftly controlled the situation using minimal and calibrated force. No major incidents occurred, and normalcy was restored promptly.

Delhi Police reaffirmed its commitment to upholding law and order while executing court orders with sensitivity, professionalism, and adherence to legal processes.

Notably, MCD had issued notices for illegal encroachments on approximately 38,000 square feet of land near Faiz-e-Ilahi Masjid, where activities including a parking lot and a private hospital were operating. A cemetery also exists on the site.

The masjid committee challenged the notices in court but failed to produce ownership documents or prove it as Waqf property. Following the court's ruling, the encroachments were removed, freeing the land.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar