Mehrauli Residents Protest Against Demolition Drive, AAP Says BJP Taking 'Revenge'

The BJP demanded a probe as to how buildings constructed on encroached land were registered. 

Residents in Mehrauli hold protest against the anti-encroachment drive.

Source : ANI

New Delhi: Residents in Mehrauli held a protest on Saturday against the anti-encroachment drive by the Delhi Development Authority in the area, reported news agency ANI. The demolition drive started on Friday amid police security. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party, under which the DDA functions, of taking revenge from the people for its loss at the MCD polls. 

The residents claimed that they were not given any prior notice by the agency. DDA had demolished two three-storeyed buildings near the Aulia Masjid at Andheria Mor along with shanties, the added, reported IANS. 

The BJP is acting like the British, who demolished houses of those who supported freedom fighters during the mutiny of 1857, the AAP charged, and added that it would move court against the DDA action. 

While the BJP demanded a probe as to how buildings constructed on encroached land were registered. 

Delhi | Demolition drive underway in Mehrauli amid protest by locals. pic.twitter.com/mnkSSbw8cp

— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2023

As per the demolition notice, the land on which the demolition is being carried out is a part of the Mehrauli Archaeological Park and the "existing unauthorised encroachment" is acting as a hindrance to the development of the park.

Addressing a press conference here, senior AAP leader Durgesh Pathak accused the BJP of reneging on its poll promises of 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan'.

"I don't think this has ever happened in independent India. This used to happen during the British rule. Those who supported freedom fighters during the 1857 mutiny were hanged and their houses demolished. This is being replicated by the BJP," he said.

AAP will approach the court over this issue, Pathak added. 

"Our party MLAs Naresh Yadav and Somnath Bharti have been detained. Even our councillor has been detained. The BJP is taking revenge from people for not choosing it in Vidhan Sabha and MCD polls. They had promised to build houses but they are demolishing jhuggis. We won't allow this," the AAP leader said.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor hit back at Pathak, saying the AAP leader is an "expert in making false political statements and misleading people".

There should be a high-level probe as to how registries of buildings constructed on the encroached government land were done, he said.