Demolition drive in Chandni Chowk sparks protest

A drive against encroachments in the Chandni Chowk area today sparked a protest among locals with BJP leaders too joining in after a drinking water kiosk near a religious place was allegedly dismantled.
The eviction drive undertaken by the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) was carried out with the help of North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and Delhi Police personnel.
The drive began at around 6 AM with the removal of encroachments along the main road in the Chandni Chowk area. But as the demolition squad reached the area near a gurdwara and started dismantling the water kiosk, devotees and locals objected to it.

"The drive, however, continued and all types of encroachments were removed," said a senior municipal officer.
Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay alleged that the drive was a "conspiracy" of the Arvind Kejriwal government and he should "apologise" after the action in the vicinity of Gurdwara Sheeshganj Sahib and Gauri Shankar Mandir.
Senior BJP leader Sardar RP Singh alleged that directions for the demolition of the 'Chhabil' of the gurdwara was given under "pressure" from local AAP MLA Alka Lamba, who is also the director of SRDC.

Lamba could not be reached for her comments on the issue.
The action plan for the demolition drive was discussed at a meeting of SRDC yesterday in which officials of PWD, Jal Board, police and the BJP-led NDMC had taken part.

As per the minutes of the meeting, high court has ordered the removal of encroachments, including religious structures like a Hanuman temple and the Bhai Mati Das Chowk Pyau as they stood in a public space owned by the NDMC.
BJP claimed the demolition drive was a "conspiracy" by AAP to create a "vicious atmosphere" for BJP in Punjab ahead of Assembly elections in the state next year.