Khirki Masjid, a protected monument in South Delhi, on Friday turned into a fortress with over 150 policemen and paramilitary jawans being deployed there following disturbances reported earlier this month. "A group of unidentified men had tried to force their way into the Tughlaq-era monument to offer namaz on June 13 which had led to police deployment then. Today, being a Friday, more reinforcement were rushed in to keep sparks from flying," said a police official.

Approach roads from all sides to the mosque in Malviya Nagar were barricaded. Moreover, both local residents and tourists were also not allowed inside throughout the day. Senior Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials were also present at the site after there were apprehensions of the group returning in larger numbers.

Of the 174 nationally protected monuments in Delhi that are maintained by the ASI, several are mosques or tombs. As per the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Site and Remains Act, 1958, those mosques which have been traditionally used to offer prayers, are allowed to be used as so. These include the Jama Masjid, Ferozeshah Kotla and Neeli Masjid in Hauz Khas. However, those which have no recent history of being worshipped in are treated as 'secular structures of national heritage' and prayers are prohibited here.

On June 13, a group of 20-25 unidentified persons arrived at the Khirki Masjid and on the pretext of seeing it started offering namaz.

ASI Senior Conservation Assistant AK Gupta told Mail Today: "Our guard deployed here immediately dialled 100 and informed us. However, when the Malviya Nagar SHO came, they started arguing with him as well. Before leaving following police intervention, they had warned that they will come back. We wrote to senior police officials and hence this huge police force."

The holy month of Ramzan is due to last till July 19. On Fridays, special namaz is offered. Local Muslim leaders said that they have nothing to do with those who tried to forcefully offer prayers here. In fact, the leaders said that as per the information that they received "internally", these unidentified people were "outside elements who had come with a pre-meditated plan to disrupt the harmony between the local communities".

Feroze Khan, an elderly resident of nearby Hauz Rani, said, "Someone lakh Muslims reside in this area, Khirki Gaon and Extension. If there were any need for additional space to offer namaz during Ramzan, at this mosque, the demand would have come from us first. As per the secret information that we have got, these were outsiders. They came with a well-thought out plan to disturb our communal harmony."

Ayub Khan, another resident, said, "We learnt that the youths' argument was that this mosque is in disuse anyway. Also, that it has become a den for alcoholics and mischief-makers, so why not allow it for offering namaz. However, we don't agree with their methods. If at all they wanted to use it for a holy work, they should have talked to the locals and taken the needed permission from authorities."