New Delhi

Five police personnel were injured after violence broke out during an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan area early Wednesday, officials said.

Police used mild force and teargas to disperse the crowd that gathered on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday after rumours spread that the mosque was being demolished. Five people, including a juvenile, were arrested, while 10–15 others were detained.

According to police sources, the trouble began after a social media post falsely claimed that the mosque was being razed during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) demolition drive.

Soon after, 100–150 people gathered at the site and some resorted to stone-pelting and hurled glass bottles at police personnel and MCD workers, injuring five policemen.

The MCD was carrying out the demolition on land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard at Turkman Gate, following directions of the Delhi High Court.

MCD Deputy Commissioner Vivek Kumar said illegal commercial structures, including a diagnostic centre and a banquet hall, were demolished, and around 36,000 square feet of encroached land was cleared.

“No damage was caused to the mosque,” Kumar clarified.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan said the MCD had informed the police in advance and sought deployment for maintaining law and order during the demolition scheduled for the night of January 6–7.

“Most people dispersed after persuasion, but some attempted to create a ruckus and resorted to stone-pelting. Five police personnel sustained minor injuries and were given medical treatment,” he said.

Police sources said rumours were fuelled by a video allegedly recorded by one Khalid Malik, urging people to step out in large numbers and claiming bulldozers were being used to demolish a mosque.

The arrested persons were identified as Mohd Arib (25), Mohd Kaif (23), Mohd Kashif (25), Mohd Hamid (30) and a 17-year-old boy.

Police said CCTV footage, drone visuals, body camera recordings and videos circulating on social media were being analysed to identify more suspects. Masks allegedly used by some of the accused to conceal their identities were also recovered.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said the area was divided into nine zones, each supervised by an officer of the rank of additional DCP, and adequate force was deployed at all sensitive points.

He added that several coordination meetings were held with Aman Committee members and local stakeholders before the drive to ensure peace.

“A few miscreants attempted to disturb the demolition by stone-pelting. The situation was promptly brought under control with minimal and measured use of force, and normalcy was restored,” Verma said.

An FIR has been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including for rioting, assault on public servants, obstruction of official duty, disobedience of lawful orders, joint liability, and provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.

Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood termed the incident “unfortunate” and warned that violence would not be tolerated.

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“I want to clearly state that the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque is completely safe. The action is strictly limited to illegal commercial establishments in accordance with court orders. There is no arbitrariness or mala fide intent,” he said, appealing to people not to fall prey to provocation.