Police nip central Delhi shrine trouble in bud

NEW DELHI: There was tension in B K Dutt colony near Lodi Road on Friday evening after some locals and the police came face to face when the former tried to put up a sign at a masjid, laying claim to it. H G S Dhaliwal, DCP (south), said the incident was a “minor’’ one.
“We sent our men after we heard of the incident. We have removed the board and are maintaining vigil in the area,” Dhaliwal said.
He added, “It is a minor incident and everything is under control now.”
Police sources said they did not want to take any chances after the Noor Masjid incident.
“We have been instructed not to allow any flare-up at the spot,’’ said an officer posted in the Lodhi Colony police station .
Worried residents said it was attempt to take over the masjid by some elements and this was not the first time.
“A large group of people tried to capture the masjid which they were trying to name as Qanati Masjid. The police were called as we feared a repeat of Jungpura,’’ said a resident of the area who didn’t wish to be named.
The monument, located at the eastern end of Karbala in east Jor Bagh, dates to the late Mughal period and has been graded C by INTACH’s Delhi Chapter in their heritage listing.
Built on a high platform surrounded by earth, many of its chambers are now said to have sunk into the ground. The mosque has five mihrabs and return walls on the north and south sides.
The monument was recently notified by NDMC in their heritage list and is now a protected building.