Digital Desk: The
South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (SDMC) demolition drive in Shaheen Bagh
began today amid protests by locals and Congress workers who demanded a court
order before starting the anti-encroachment drive. Large crowd was seen
blocking the roads and attempted to stop the bulldozer from beginning the
demolition.
Solicitor general
Tushar Mehta said the facts are being misrepresented. “This may be a process
that has been happening for a long time, a routine exercise after serving
notice,” he said. When senior advocate P Surendranath, appearing for the
CPI(M), mentioned the apex court’s recent orders on Jahangirpuri where the
demolition drive was stayed, the bench said let the affected parties come.
“We have not given
licence to anybody to return here to mention my house cannot be demolished
albeit it's unauthorised. You cannot take shelter of that order. We cannot
interfere that too at the instance of political parties,” the bench said. After
hearing the matter for a few times, the matter was dismissed as withdrawn with
liberty to approach the Delhi HC.
Protests erupted in
Shaheen Bagh with many people, including women, opposing the SDMC’s
anti-encroachment drive as bulldozers rolled in presence of heavy police
personnel. Protesters raised slogans against the BJP-ruled civic body also
because of the central government and demanded that the action should be
stopped. Some women protesters also stood ahead of bulldozers to stop the
exercise.
Leaders from the AAP
and Congress reached the spot immediately and staged a dharna against the
drive. The protest also caused heavy traffic problems in Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi
Kunj, Jaitpur, Sarita Vihar and Mathura Road among other areas. Encroachment
removal drives are planned at Shaheen Bagh G Block to Jasola and Jasola Nale to
Kalindi Kunj Park. Police forces are deployed to avoid any untoward incident.
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