New Delhi: The demolition drive against encroachments was launched in South Delhi's most sensitive zone Shaheen Bagh on Monday. Encroachments on roads and illegal constructions will be dismantled. Letters have been written to the south and south-east DCPs," said an official. The Delhi police are assisting the civic bodies in the phase-wise demolition drive which started today.
The Delhi police deployed a heavy contingent of cops to prevent any untoward incident. Meanwhile, protestors blocked the bulldozers and sat on roads to stop the forces. Even before the MCD officials reached the area with bulldozers to remove the structures constructed illegally and locals were seen carrying their belongings outside from shops and footpaths.
Meanwhile, local leaders, including Congress workers, have begun protesting against the Municipal Corporation's demolition drive in the Shaheen Bagh area of the national capital. As per reports, the party leaders have sat in front of the JCB bulldozers. "This is a bulldozer of hatred. It is completely unconstitutional. We will not let this demolition happen," a party leader said.
Leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party reached the spot and staged a dharna against the action. The protest also caused heavy traffic snarls in Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi Kunj, Jaitpur, Sarita Vihar and Mathura Road among other areas. SDMC's Central Zone Chairman Rajpal Singh said that the illegal structures could not be removed due to protests.
Read: Watch: Anti-encroachment drive in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area
Last month, an anti-encroachment drive conducted by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation in the Jahangirpuri area, which witnessed violence between two communities on April 16, drew widespread criticism. The Supreme Court had to intervene to stop the action there. Singh said that removing encroachment from any area is an obligatory function that the civic body is doing. "Protests being held are politically-motivated. We will do whatever we have to remove the encroachment. Our bulldozers and trucks are still there (in Shaheen Bagh)," Singh.
Senior police officials were also present at the spot, along with their personnel to provide security to SDMC officials to carry out the anti-encroachment drive in the area. "Police personnel have been deployed at the spot where the anti-encroachment drive is being carried out. This is being done to ensure that the civic bodies concerned can carry out their work without any hassle and with all safety," a senior police official said.
Paramilitary forces were also deployed to manage the situation, officials said. As South MCD officials with bulldozers reached Shaheen Bagh, some locals started removing their "illegal structures". Delhi Congress leaders, including the party's media cell vice-chairman Parvez Alam, were among those detained by the police. Delhi BJP Chief Adesh Gupta criticised the Congress and AAP for "opposing anti-encroachment drive" in Shaheen Bagh.
Today it's proved that AAP and its MLAs are supporting Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. Those who are lying before bulldozers will be given a reply by the people. Unfortunately, AAP and Congress are opposing the removal of encroachment in Shaheen Bagh. "I urge AAP and Congress not to link encroachment with religion," he said. The plan for the anti-encroachment drive comes after Gupta wrote to the Mayors of South and East Corporations on April 20 seeking the removal of encroachments "by Rohingyas, Bangladeshis and anti-social elements" in their areas.
