Divya Aggarwal, New Delhi:
In the Kalindi Kunj-Jamia Nagar area near Shaheen Bagh, a South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) team arrived with a massive security cover by the Delhi Police to remove illegal encroachment, but people gathered in large numbers and staged a demonstration in front of the bulldozers.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan and a large number of people reached the spot to protest against the MCD’s anti-encroachment drive. In view of this protest which lasted for hours, the MCD team had to return with their bulldozers.
Earlier, heavy security forces were deployed on the spot along with bulldozers for the anti-encroachment operation of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) in the Kalindi Kunj-Jamia Nagar area near Shaheen Bagh.
The bulldozer operation was earlier canceled by the authorities due to the non-availability of adequate police force. On April 28 also, a demolition drive scheduled at Jasola and Sarita Vihar was canceled due to the non-availability of adequate police force.
The encroachment drive in SDMC areas was planned after Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta wrote to the mayor of the party-ruled civic body on April 20 to remove encroachments by “Rohingyas, Bangladeshis and anti-social elements”.
The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) had come under criticism from several civil rights groups and opposition parties after structures were bulldozers into the Jahangirpuri area as part of an anti-encroachment drive. It was stopped after the intervention of the Supreme Court.
The SDMC has prepared a 10-day action plan to remove encroachment from these areas including Shaheen Bagh. On May 10, a drive will be organized near Gurdwara Road near New Friends Colony. On May 11, it will be held at Meherchand Market, Lodhi Colony near Sai Baba Mandir and near JLN Metro Station.
Wajid Khan, the councilor of the area, has come out in support of the shopkeepers.
He said, “If action is right then I am with MCD, otherwise I will not allow any wrong action. We are also against encroachment, but wrong action will not be tolerated. Action in Shaheen Bagh is only political.”
]]>
, International, ,