An anti-encroachment drive led by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), on Monday, in the Capital's Shaheen Bagh area hit a pause after facing stiff resistance from local residents.
The civic body, along with assistance from the police, was set to remove an illegal structure from a building, using a bulldozer.
However, civic officials present at the spot said that workers in the building removed the "temporary structure" on their own, while the bulldozer left the spot shortly after.
The situation in the area remained tense with residents protesting amidst the presence of police and paramilitary force.
According to the SDMC’s schedule, the drive – from May 9 to 13 – is set to be carried out in Shaheen Bagh, New Friends Colony, Lodhi Road, Amar Colony and Kalindi Kunj areas.
Previously, the drive was deferred till Sunday, due to no police assistance; while civic officials said that is likely to be stalled again with as we're yet to receive a confirmation on police assistance for the exercise.
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, who was present at the spot, said that there were no encroachments in the area and that the BJP-led civic body is trying to create an issue between Hindus and Muslims.
When asked on whether the drive was to target a specific community, Mr. Khan did not give a clear response.
"We are removing any unauthorised construction at the spot. It's fine if there are protests, we have been doing these drives while taking the people into confidence. It's very much a routine exercise," said a senior SDMC official.
Previously, SDMC Mayor Mukesh Suryan while speaking to The Hindu, talked about holding a “massive” anti-encroachment drive in several areas including Sarita Vihar, Okhla and Shaheen Bagh.
Mr. Suryan was unavailable for comment.
Shaheen Bagh that falls under the central zone of SDMC, was the centre of protests and sit-ins against Citizenship (Amendment) Act in December 2019. The sit-in was called off in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic had struck the city.
