NDMC To Launch Anti-Encroachment Drive In Violence-Hit Jahangirpuri From Today, Asks For 400 Police Personnel

North Delhi mayor, Raja Iqbal Singh, on Wednesday, said that police deployment has been requested to avoid any mishap during the anti-encroachment drive. 

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party -ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to launch a two day “encroachment removal action programme” in the Jahangirpuri area wherein illegal construction will be removed today and tomorrow, reported news agency ANI. 

This move by the NDMC comes a few days after violence erupted in the area during a religious procession on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. 

The NDMC has also asked for deployment of 400 personnel of the Delhi Police to “handle law and order” during the drive. 

In a letter to the Northwest Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), the NDMC said, "The special joint encroachment removal action programme comprising Public Works Department (PWD), local body, Police and the Works/Maintenance Department, Health Department, Sanitation Department, Veterinary Department and Enforcement Cell of North DMC is to be fixed in Jahangirpuri area," reported the news agency. 

"You are, therefore requested to provide at least 400 police personnel including lady police/outer force for maintaining law and order during the encroachment removal action," the letter further read.

North Delhi mayor, Raja Iqbal Singh, on Wednesday, said that police deployment has been requested to avoid any mishap during the anti-encroachment drive. 

"Illegal construction, encroachment on government land in Jahangirpuri will be removed today, April 20, by North MCD. To avoid any mishap in the area, especially in the wake of recent violence, we have also demanded police force (deployment)," he said, quoted by ANI. 

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The Mayor further said that Delhi BJP President Adesh Gupta had written to the North MCD saying that illegal encroachments on government property by "anti-social elements" (accused) of 'Shobha Yatra' incident in Jahangirpuri should be vacated and action be taken against them.

Violence erupted in the area on April 16 during a religious procession which left nine people injured including eight police personnel and one civilian. 23 people have been arrested so far in connection with the case while 2 juveniles have been apprehended. 

On Tuesday, National Security Act (NSA) was imposed on five culprits.