NDMC 'razes' hopes for better future at Jahangirpuri

New Delhi, April 20

Bulldozers demolished several structures at Jahangirpuri on Wednesday amid a heavy paramilitary and police presence during the North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (NDMC) anti-encroachment drive that was stopped within hours following a Supreme Court order.

Malika Bibi’s hopes to secure a better future for her children were shattered when her fruits and vegetable shop, the sole source of her income, was razed by civic authorities in northwest Delhi.

A similar tale of woe was narrated by Nazma, whose sister Rahima “lost everything” as her tea shop near the C-Block mosque at Jahangirpuri was razed to the ground by the NDMC.

The drive continued even after the apex court directed the authorities to stop it. Officials said it was because of the absence of a written order from the court.

Malika Bibi said she had been running the shop for 25 years, and it was razed without any prior notice from the authorities.

“They razed my shop and took away four carts. It was the only source of income for our family of five. I have two kids, and both are studying in primary schools. I am worried about how their studies will continue and have lost all hopes for their good future. I am clueless about recovering from our losses,” she told PTI.

Before the anti-encroachment drive was stopped, the civic body had bulldozed several temporary shops and structures.

The debris of the demolished structures was seen strewn across streets in the area after the drive.

Ganesh Kumar Gupta, whose fruit juice shop was also razed, said he would go to the court.

“My shop was registered under DDA allotment in 1977. Since morning, I have been running after police and other officials with my documents. My shop was razed at 11.30 am. I told them about the Supreme Court order, but they did not listen to me. I will go to the court,” Gupta said.

A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana ordered the stopping of the drive and agreed to hear a petition challenging the action of the civic bodies allegedly aimed against those involved in Saturday’s communal clashes.

Despite the court’s directions, bulldozers were seen razing structures near the C-Block mosque in Jahangirpuri, where the violence had erupted on April 16.

Another resident of the area, Mohammad Rahman, said, “This is like punishing the whole community. If you want to punish, then punish the accused who have been arrested. Why are you punishing the whole community? People have lost their livelihood.”          

Jahangirpuri witnessed violent clashes, including stone-pelting, arson and firing, between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on April 16. Eight police personnel and a local resident were injured in the clashes.