AAP joins protest against Mehram Nagar eviction

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the protest to oppose the eviction notice issued by the National Security Guard (NSG) to vacate the nearly 300-year-old Mehram Nagar village near the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI).

AAP leaders warned that any attempt to demolish homes or community structures would face resistance from residents and allied villages across Delhi.

Located near the IGI Airport, Mehram Nagar has been inhabited since the Mughal period. Currently, it has a population of around 15,000. In the second week of September, the NSG issued an eviction notice to the residents, asking them to vacate the premises by September 30.

The Delhi High Court later stayed the notice till December 16. The residents fear that pressure from the authorities may continue.

AAP Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj said the eviction plan was part of a larger pattern of targeting settlements. “A few weeks ago, an attempt was made to raze Anangpur village in Haryana, adjacent to Delhi. A mahapanchayat was held to discuss the issue in Faridabad, which was attended by people from Delhi-Haryana villages and rural areas and farmer unions from Uttar Pradesh,” said Bharadwaj.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the AAP would oppose any action against the village. “During the Delhi elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised ‘jahan jhuggi, wahan makaan’. But the BJP is bent on razing Mehram Nagar, not just demolishing jhuggis. We will stand with the people of Mehram Nagar in every protest — from road demonstrations to Parliament,” Singh said.

“We will not allow the settlements of the poor to be razed,” he added.

The NSG has claimed a portion of Mehram Nagar for Air Force and defence installations, according to officials. AAP leaders said any demolition action would face opposition from 360 villages and 36 community groups participating in the ongoing Mahapanchayat.