A routine anti-encroachment operation in central Delhi descended into chaos and violence on Wednesday morning, leading police to fire tear gas shells to control an agitated crowd. The incident occurred near the historic Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in the Turkman Gate area.
Court-Ordered Drive Sparks Confrontation
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was carrying out a demolition drive on Tuesday, acting on specific directions from the Delhi High Court to clear illegal encroachments. The operation continued into the early hours of Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
According to police officials, the situation turned tense when some individuals from the gathered crowd began pelting stones at the civic authorities and police personnel present at the site. This act of stone-pelting disrupted the ongoing drive and triggered a volatile standoff.
Police Response and Restoration of Order
In response to the escalating violence and to prevent further injury or damage, the Delhi Police personnel deployed at the location used tear gas shells to disperse the unruly crowd. The use of non-lethal force was aimed at quelling the immediate disturbance and bringing the situation under control.
Authorities confirmed that the chaotic scene lasted for a short period. Normalcy was restored shortly after the police intervention. No major injuries or arrests were immediately reported in the initial statements from the police.
Background and Aftermath
The demolition was not an isolated action but part of a broader judicial mandate. The Delhi High Court has been actively directing civic bodies to remove illegal constructions and encroachments on public land across the national capital. The area near Turkman Gate, with its dense population and narrow lanes, has seen similar drives in the past.
Visuals from the scene, shared by news agency ANI on the morning of January 7, showed the aftermath of the demolition activity. While the immediate tension was defused, the incident highlights the recurring challenges and potential for conflict during such enforcement actions in sensitive urban localities.
Police have maintained that the drive was conducted lawfully under court orders and that their response was proportionate to the violence initiated by a section of the crowd. Investigations into the identity of those involved in the stone-pelting are likely underway.
