Photographer manhandled during SDMC sealing drive

New Delhi: Over 300 shops and 30 properties were sealed during a sealing drive by South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) in the Capital on Thursday, during which Delhi Police personnel reportedly misbehaved with some photographers.

The drive was undertaken in South, Central and West zones of SDMC, in accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee.

The Building department of South Zone sealed 17 properties at 79 points in Greater Kailash Enclave-2

The sealing was done in the stilt parking area of building because of unauthorised construction of rooms/servant quarters there.

The Building department of the Central Zone sealed 350 shops due to misuse and encroachments in Old Double Storey area of Lajpat Nagar 4.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said that Thursday's mass sealing at Amar Colony in Lajpat Nagar 4 has become a grave issue.

"During the sealing, there were reports of high-handed behavior by police officials against traders and mediapersons, which we condemn and should not happen again," said Tiwari.

Some photographers, who were taking pictures of the drive were reportedly forced to delete them and later taken to police station.

DCP (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said, "As soon as the matter came to my notice, I contacted DCP South East and he informed me he is personally looking into it."

Delhi Congress president Shri Ajay Maken said it is "very unfortunate that the AAP government and the BJP-led Centre are doing politics over the sealing issue."