Signboard at temple site warns of trespassing

The authorities have placed a signboard outside the Ravidas temple area on Thursday in Tughlakabad and warned visitors against trespassing. The move came a day after the Dalit community protest against the demolition of the temple turned violent leaving several people injured.

The signboard was placed on a newly constructed wall that restricts entry to the temple area. “This land belongs to the Delhi Development Authority, according to a Supreme Court order. Occupying it is a punishable offence,” the message on the signboard reads in Hindi.

On Wednesday, the violence broke out during a march by the protesters to the site, where the temple stood before it was demolished on August 10 on Supreme Court’s orders.

When the police did not allow the protesters to enter Tughlakabad Extension, they sneaked into the area via a park and started hurling stones, eyewitnesses said.

The police had to resort to mild baton charge and fire tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd, who had set on fire two motorcycles and damaged a police vehicle. A few policemen were also injured.

On Thursday, tension prevailed in the south Delhi neighbourhood, but no untoward incident was reported. Around 60 Central Reserve Police personnel and several police officials have been deployed in the area.

◗ On Wednesday, the violence broke out during a march by the protesters to the site, where the temple stood before it was demolished on August 10 on SC’s orders