Protests erupt as bulldozers roll into Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, return without action

An anti-encroachment drive with bulldozers rolling into Shaheen Bagh on Monday created tension in the area, as hundreds of locals, including women, protested against the drive by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and forced the personnel to return.

Leaders of the AAP and the Congress rushed to the spot and staged dharnas while locals blocked personnel accompanied by police from carrying out the removal of illegal structures, leading to traffic snarls in areas in and around Shaheen Bagh.

As the protesters did not relent, officials and personnel returned without carrying out the demolition of illegal structures. Protesters raised slogans against the SDMC as well as the Centre while some women protesters stood in front of bulldozers.

The drive at Shaheen Bagh, which was the iconic protest site in late 2019 and early 2020 for the anti-CAA protests, came days after a similar drive in north-west Delhi's Jahangirpuri that was halted by the Supreme Court.

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However, on Monday, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea filed by the CPI(M) against the demolition drive at Shaheen Bagh, saying it cannot interfere in the matter at the instance of a political party.

SDMC Central Zone Chairman Rajpal Singh said removing encroachment is the civic body's obligatory function. He alleged that the protests were politically-motivated. "We will do whatever we have to remove encroachment," Singh was quoted by PTI as saying.

A large number of police personnel were deployed to provide security to SDMC officials carrying out the drive.

The anti-encroachment drive comes after Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta wrote to the South and East Delhi Mayors last month seeking "the removal of encroachments by Rohingyas, Bangladeshis and anti-social elements" in their areas.

While a drive was planned in Okhla and Jasola, it could not be executed as police force was unavailable. The SDMC said anti-encroachment drive will be conducted in New Friends Colony on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the drive will be conducted in Meharchand Market in Lodhi Colony and near JLN etro station.

The drive immediately acquired political colours with AAP and Congress protesting against it. Delhi Congress leaders, including party's Media Cell Vice Chairman Parvez Alam, were among those detained.

CPI General Secretary D Raja tweeted, "BJP’s so called 'anti-encroachment' drives have a clear agenda of intimidating the poor, minorities and polarising society in complete mockery of rule of law. BJP is dubbing poor people as encroachers but silent on posh encroachments like Sainik Farms. Why?"

Delhi BJP president Gupta criticised the Congress and AAP for "opposing" the drive. "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. It's unfortunate that AAP and Congress are opposing removal of encroachment in Shaheen Bagh. I urge AAP and Congress not to link encroachment with religion," he said.