After four days of heavy restrictions and barricading around Turkman Gate due to a High Court authorised demolition drive by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), all roads in the area including, Asaf Ali Road, were reopened to traffic on Saturday.
The lifting of restrictions brought back a sense of normalcy with locals reopening their shops and returning to their usual routine. However, a strong police presence remained in the lanes near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque, where the MCD has razed down a community hall, guest rooms and a dispensary – all allegedly built illegally.
Two more arrested
The drive triggered a clash between the police and the locals, who have been accused of allegedly pelting stones. Two more persons were arrested in the case on Saturday, bringing the total number of arrested people to 16.
Local vendor Mohammed Alam said the closure of roads and markets had made things difficult. “I suffered losses, but at least things are slowly returning to normal,” he said.
