Delhi Turkman Gate unrest: Juvenile among 5 held for stone pelting during anti-encroachment drive

New Delhi:  Five individuals, including a minor, were apprehended on Wednesday following a violent confrontation between police and protesters during a court-ordered anti-encroachment operation in the Turkman Gate area.

The clashes erupted early Wednesday morning near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) began clearing unauthorised structures from a 36,000-square-foot plot adjacent to the religious site and a local cemetery. Demonstrators reportedly targeted law enforcement with stones and glass bottles, resulting in minor injuries to five police officers.

Authorities responded with tear gas and what they described as "measured and minimal use of force" to disperse a crowd of approximately 100 to 150 people. Four adults, identified as Mohd Arib, 25; Mohd Kaif, 23; Mohd Kashif, 25; and Mohd Hamid, 30, remain in custody alongside a juvenile.

Police investigators are looking into whether the riot was fueled by social media misinformation. Officials pointed to a video allegedly shared by an individual named Khalid Malik, which falsely claimed the mosque was being demolished. MCD Deputy Commissioner Vivek Kumar clarified that the operation focused exclusively on illegal commercial buildings, including a diagnostic centre and a banquet hall.

"No damage was caused to the mosque," Kumar said, emphasising that the agency was fulfilling a mandate from the Delhi High Court.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma stated the operation site was divided into nine zones with heavy police supervision to maintain order. "During the course of the demolition, a few miscreants attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting," Verma said. "The situation was promptly brought under control... ensuring that normalcy was restored without escalation."

Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood condemned the interference with the legal process, calling the violence "unfortunate."

"Obstructing or disrupting work being carried out within the framework of law is completely unacceptable," Sood said. "I want to clearly state that the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque is completely safe. The action is limited only to those illegal commercial establishments that fall within the scope of the court's orders. There is no arbitrariness or mala fide intent on the part of the government in this matter."

The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rioting, assaulting public servants, and damaging public property. Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV and body-camera footage to identify additional suspects.

With inputs from PTI