Amanatullah detained, his aide Shakeel shares first-hand account

Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan detained a few minutes ago from Kanchan Kunj where he had gone with his supporters after coming to know about anti-encroachment drive on Thursday.

UPDATE: According to ANI report a few minutes ago, in the encroachment removal drive in the area of Madanpur khadar of PS Kalindi Kunj, Amanatullah Khan, along with 5 other supporters, was arrested in Case FIR No. 246/2022 U/s 186/333/353/147/148/149/153 for rioting & obstructing public servants in discharge of duty: Delhi Police.”

In a video uploaded by a news agency it can be seen that Amanatullah is being taken into custody. Amanatullah’s aide Shakeel Shamsi, who was with him at the site, told the OT over phone that suddenly police used mild force to disperse the crowd and AAP supporters and took Amanatullah into custody with other people running helter and skelter for safety, he said.

Councillor Wajid Khan and AIMIM Delhi president Kaleem-ul-Hafee was also on the spot.

Wajid told the OT over phone that police started caning the crowd suddenly.

Four minutes ago Amanatullha informed netizens through social media that he has been arrested by the Delhi Police. Earlier in the day, Amanatullah with supporters had visited the area and sat on the road to express his displeasure over the action being taken by the SDMC.

Four Congress leaders, including Gentle Hedyatullah, Parvez Alam, Aaarfa and another leader Ashu Khan were detained to be released later in the day.

Later on Amanatullah was slapped with FIR for allegedly obstructing an anti-encroachment drive in Shaheen Bagh, officials said.

Khan on a social media post alleged that the Delhi Police has arrested him. “Delhi Police has arrested me. Can imprison me, not my spirits,” he tweeted in Hindi.
The South Delhi civic body officials said two to three illegal buildings and other temporary structures in the Kanchan Kunj area of Manadpur Khadar were demolished.

The locals alleged the civic authorities had “taken money” to allow construction there and termed the demolition action “politically motivated”, reported PTI.

Another resident of the area told reporters that the action was “politically motivated”. “There is no encroachment here and even if structures were built illegally then where was the SDMC when such buildings were being built?” he posed.

Earlier in the day, Khan, who with his supporters had reached the spot, and sat on the road after having a conversation with the police authorities, said: “I will not let the houses of the poor bulldozed. Arrest me if that saves houses from being demolished. We are also against encroachment. Tell us about those and we will remove it. There is no encroachment here.”

SDMC Central Zone Chairman Rajpal Singh however refuted Khan’s allegation, saying the drive was against the “mafia” who encroach upon government land. “Our enforcement teams along with an adequate police force and equipped with bulldozers and trucks have started removing illegal buildings, kiosks, temporary structures in Madanpur Khadar. Our drive against encroachment will continue and anyone obstructing it will be dealt with accordingly,” he told PTI.