The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carried out a demolition drive at the encroached area in the vicinity of Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, near Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, in the early morning hours on Wednesday.

The civic body said the demolition drive was carried out in compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan said MCD scheduled the demolition for the intervening night of January 6 and 7, following which police personnel were mobilised and deployed at the site, but around 100-150 people gathered when MCD machinery, including JCBs, was about to arrive.

"During the course of the demolition, a few miscreants attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting. The situation was promptly brought under control through measured and minimal use of force, ensuring that normalcy was restored without escalation," Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, Central Range, said in an official statement.

 Teargas shells were used to disperse the crowd after which the situation was brought under control after which normalcy was restored.

The clashes erupted when officials of the MCD were carrying out a demolition drive on land adjoining the Syed Faiz Elahi Mosque and a nearby graveyard at Turkman Gate, following directions of the Delhi High Court.

Normalcy was restored shortly after the incident, police said in a statement. 

Barricades choke a street as people stand at the entrance following the MCD demolition of alleged encroachments near the Syed Faiz Elahi mosque and nearby graveyard

As part of the operation, around 30 bulldozers and 50 dumpers were deployed to clear encroachments and remove debris from the site. Over 300 MCD workers and officials were engaged in the drive, which continued through the night

 Law and order arrangements remain in place in the area as a precautionary measure 

MCD official clarified that Syed Faiz Elahi Mosque was not damaged during the demolition drive. Further investigation in the case is underway