Tension erupts as DDA tries to raze temple

Tension erupted in east Delhi's Priyadarshini Vihar on Tuesday when Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials tried to demolish a temple in the area pursuant to a high court order.

"As the team arrived to demolish the Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Priyadarshini Vihar, tension erupted in the area. The protestors blocked the roads leading to the area," a DDA official told IANS.

"Shops were shut down. A fire-tender, 13 Delhi Transport Corporation buses and two JCB machines (backhoe loader) were vandalised," the official said.

The protest by various religious groups and local residents forced the DDA team to return without demolishing the temple. "Protestors along with religious groups burnt tyres at various places to express their anger, forcing us to return without any further demolition," the official added.

According to police, the Delhi High court had ordered demolition of Laxmi Narayan Mandir, built over approximately 1,000 square yards of land, along with its prayer hall.

"Following directions of the high court, the authority (DDA) on September 3 had demolished the satsang hall of the temple. The remaining construction was to be demolished in next two days. But it was interrupted due to the continuous protest from the locals and religious groups," a police official told IANS.

"Protesting against the demolition order of the high court, locals closed down Laxmi Nagar market, vandalised government property and also burnt tyres," he said, "In view of the continuous protests, the temple could not be demolished today."