Himachal: Locals Protest Against Alleged Illegal Mosque In Shimla's Sanjauli; Police Resort To Lathi Charge

A large number of local residents came out on the streets on Wednesday (11 September) to protest against the 'illegal' mosque in Shimla.

Hindu organisations had called for a bandh today (Wednesday), prompting increased security and stringent checks at key locations, including the Dhalli tunnel.

The protestors, shouting slogans, clashed with the security forces and removed the barricading to enter the Dhalli Tunnel East portal during their protest rally against the alleged illegal construction of a Mosque in the Sanjauli area.

The police resorted to lathi-charge to disburse the protestors.

Responding to the protests, Himachal Minister and Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh said, "The situation is very clear. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully and Govt too has said this but there should not arise a situation which would affect the peaceful situation there. So Police have taken preventive measures. Sec 163 has been imposed there and the area has to be turned into a Police camp so that no situation arises which would raise questions on the law and order in the state"

"As far as the construction of that illegal structure is concerned, the matter is sub-judice, Govt will take a decision after hearing. We have clearly said that if it is found to be illegal, action will definitely be taken and it will be demolished. But that is a step that will be taken once the order of the Municipal Commissioner comes, it will not be right to take action before that..." he said.

Earlier last week, a large protest took place outside the Sanjauli Masjid in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla on Thursday (6 September), with BJP workers, several Hindu organisations, and local residents calling for the demolition of what they claim to be an “illegal” mosque.

"This mosque has been built illegally. The four floors of the mosque are illegal. If we construct anything illegally, it is immediately demolished. It has been 10 years, but no action has been taken on the mosque. This illegal mosque should be demolished," a protester Ankush Chauhan, who is also a BJP worker, was quoted as saying by ANI last week.

Also Read: Mahindra, Other Firms Respond After Congress Targets SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri And Husband Dhaval Buch: All About It