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Delhi

NDMC to move court to demolish Akbarabadi mosque

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) will move a petition before Delhi High Court to seek demolition of the Akbarabadi mosque ‘illegally’ built at Subhash Park when the case comes up for hearing on 28 July. The corporation, which is the legal owner of the land, had on Saturday sealed the structure and banned any religious activity at the site. The matter is likely to be put in the meeting of the House for discussion, scheduled on Monday.

‘We will seek the permission of Delhi High Court to demolish the illegal structure completely. Such activities could not be allowed as it may fuel religious disharmony. The Hindu activists are now claiming the area in the name of a Pandav-era temple, which was apparently demolished to erect Mughal-era Akbarabadi mosque, as claimed by Muslims of the locality,’ said Yogender Chandolia, Chairman of Standing Committee with NDMC.

‘We should not allow such claims as there are so many historical structures in the city, claimed to be constructed on  demolished temples. Such activities are a threat to the peace of the city,’ added Chandolia.

He also blamed Shoaib Iqbal and his supporters for attack on police and being a danger to law and order for sheer political gains.

Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has not received the land but only picked up some excavated structure for examination. The corporation, on directions of Delhi High Court, cordoned off the area with the help of Delhi Police on Saturday morning and sealed the illegal structure amid protests.

As per the order of the court, the land should be handed over the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The corporation got the possession of the leased part from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on the night on 18 July and on 19 July, DMRC handed over the entire area to NDMC. The construction of the mosque started days after the discovery of remains of a mosque found during digging in Subhash Park, which were believed to be Mughal -era Akbarabadi Masjid. The masjid is said to be built by one of the wives of Shah Jahan, Begum Akbarabandi in 1650 which was demolished after 1857 revolt.


COPS APPEAL TO CLERICS FOR CALM


After the violence at the purported Akabarabadi Mosque near Jama Masjid on Saturday, Delhi police has appealed to several local and religious leaders to maintain law and order in the area. Many police personnel were injured after locals hurled stones at them a day after the court ordered to cordon off the disputed site.

Senior cops have asked the local station house officer (SHO) to urge religious leaders to help the police maintain calm in the area.  The orders were issued to the SHOs after 10 policemen were injured in a scuffle with the mob. ‘The stand-off  started around midnight and continued for four hours,’ said a senior police officer.

‘The mob was demanding opening of the gate of the disputed site, despite court orders. To control them, we used a little force. But when they attacked and started pelting stones on the policemen guarding the area, we had to use tear gas shells and open fire in the air,’ said the official. The mob torched four patrol motorcycles and vandalised six government vehicles, including police vehicles and DTC low-floor buses. The injured were admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) hospital, official said.

‘We have arrested a few people in this connection. An inspector, a head constable and eight constables were injured when the angry mob pelted stones at them,’ Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Chandra Srivastava. Police have registered three cases against the mob for creating ruckus and damaging government properties and attacking government officials while on duty, added Srivastava.

Around 15 companies of Delhi police have been deployed at and around the area. Besides, companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other paramilitary force are being deployed at the area. After the clash five companies of city cops and more force have been deployed at the place, said the official. A mosque had started coming up at the site after a building’s remains were discovered early this month at the site excavated for Delhi Metro work. Some people from the area claimed that the ruins were those of the 17th century Mughal-era Akbarabadi mosque and started building a fresh structure at the site but the Delhi High Court put a stop to it Friday. Following the court order, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and police cordoned off the area and handed over the site to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
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