A violent clash broke out early on Tuesday during an anti-encroachment drive near a mosque in central Delhi. Municipal workers and police teams were attacked with stones while carrying out demolition work on land next to the Syed Faiz Elahi mosque at Ramlila Maidan.

According to police, around 25 to 30 people threw stones at officials during the operation. At least five police personnel were injured. Tear gas was used to bring the situation under control. Five people have been detained so far.

The demolition drive was carried out following directions from the Delhi High Court. In November last year, the court asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Public Works Department to remove encroachments from around 39,000 square feet of land near Ramlila Ground, close to Turkman Gate.

The areas marked for clearance included a road, footpath, banquet hall, parking space, and a private diagnostic centre.

The mosque’s managing committee challenged the order in court, saying the land is a notified Waqf property. They argued that under the Waqf Act, only a Waqf Tribunal can decide such land disputes.

However, the MCD said that only 0.195 acres of land, where the mosque stands, was leased in 1940. It added that this lease does not include the nearby land where demolitions are taking place.

The committee claimed it has been paying lease rent to the Delhi Waqf Board. It also said it had no objection to removing encroachments and that the banquet hall and clinic were already shut. Its main concern, it said, was about the graveyard on the land.

Last month, the MCD announced that all structures beyond the 0.195-acre mosque land would be demolished. It said no documents were submitted to prove legal ownership of the extra land by the mosque committee or the Waqf Board.

On January 4, when officials visited the site to mark the encroached area, locals protested. Police deployment was increased ahead of the demolition.

The mosque committee’s petition was heard by the high court on Monday. The court asked the MCD, the Ministry of Urban Development, and the Delhi Waqf Board to file replies within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for April 22.

Early Tuesday, municipal teams arrived with 30 bulldozers and 50 dump trucks. During the operation, stone-pelting began. Officials managed to demolish a dispensary and a banquet hall before the violence escalated.

Police said cases have been registered based on statements from injured personnel and MCD workers. Authorities added that action will be taken against those involved and that the situation is now under control.