Tension flared in Gurugram’s Kankrola village on Monday afternoon when a mob attacked a Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) demolition team and accompanying police personnel. The clash left the driver of an earthmover seriously injured and forced officials to retreat.The attack was a reaction by locals to stop the demolition of illegal structures.
According to DTCP officials, the incident took place around 3 pm during a drive to raze illegal warehouses constructed over 6.8 acres in Sector 87. Notices had been issued earlier to property owners, but the warehouses were not removed.
District town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia said that as the team began tearing down the structures, a group of 40–50 youths arrived and started pelting stones.
“Three warehouses were partially demolished when the mob attacked. The stone pelting was so fierce that one earthmover was badly damaged, and its driver, Ganguly, sustained head injuries. Soon, nearly 150 locals gathered, overwhelming the enforcement and police teams,” an official said.
Police have registered a case at Kherki Daula police station against named suspects including Rakesh Hayatpuria (husband of the Manesar mayor), councillor Ajit, Ram Avtar, Satbir, and real estate dealer Avenue 26 Realty, along with 60 unidentified individuals. The FIR cites rioting, unlawful assembly, abetment of serious crime, wrongful restraint, and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Assistant commissioner of police (Manesar) Virender Saini confirmed that video evidence of the attack has been collected. “We have identified the accused through recordings and legal action will be taken swiftly. The injured machine operator is under treatment,” he said.
This is not the first such clash in the region. Officials highlighted that influential local players, including individuals with prior cases, had instigated the public against the demolition.
