Delhi Police has intensified its actions in the violence case at Turkman Gate. Following court orders to remove encroachments, violent clashes and stone-pelting ensued. A day after these clashes, police arrested six more individuals, bringing the total number of arrests to 11, including a minor.
On Thursday, the arrested individuals were identified as Afan, Adil, Shahnawaz, Hamza, Athar, and Ubaid. All suspects are said to be residents of the Turkman Gate area. They were presented in Delhi's local court and were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. A bail hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Additional Police Commissioner Central, Nidhi Valasan, mentioned that a close watch is being maintained on the situation. Adequate police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area. The violence erupted on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Ramleela Ground area during encroachment clearance. There was significant stone-pelting during the incident.
Source: aajtak
The police and MCD teams were targeted in this incident, resulting in injuries to five police officers, including the SHO. The situation worsened when rumors spread on social media claiming that the mosque was being demolished during the encroachment drive. Following this claim, a large crowd gathered at the site, turning the situation violent.
Police claim that between 150 to 200 people participated in throwing stones and bottles. Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Municipal Corporation, Kumar Kumar, clarified that approximately 36,000 square feet of encroachments were removed during the operation. This included a diagnostic center, a banquet hall, and two boundary walls. He made it clear that the mosque was not harmed.
Now, speculations about a conspiracy are intensifying around this entire issue. police are scrutinizing around 450 video footages, including CCTV, drone, bodycam, and videos uploaded on social media. The investigation has revealed that 30 people are under police radar. It also emerged that rumors were spread through 4 to 5 WhatsApp groups and 10 social media influencers.
Source: aajtak
The purpose of these rumors was reportedly to escalate the situation. According to the police, these messages were shared in old religious, community, and friends' groups. Meanwhile, the role of Samajwadi Party MP Mehboobullah Nadvi, who was present at the time, has come under investigation. Police are preparing to summon him for inquiry.
Video footage shows his supporters engaging in altercations with the police. Following the incident, political discourse about this violence has intensified, which the police consider crucial for the investigation. The police assert that bodycam and drone footage make it clear that the encroachment removal was confined to designated areas. The police hadn't reached near the mosque.
Currently, the police are accelerating their investigation into the complete conspiracy behind this violence, the spreaders of rumors, and identifying all individuals involved.
