Shimla Mosque Row: Hindu Outfits End Protest in Sanjauli, Call for 'Trade Bandh' on Thursday

Wednesday witnessed angry protests by the Hindu outfits in Shimla against the alleged illegal construction of a mosque at Sanjauli in the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. When protesters broke the barricades, the police used water cannons and lathicharge. By evening, the protesters relented and called for 'market bandh' in Shimla on Thursday.

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): The protest of Hindu organizations and civil society against the illegal construction of the mosque in Sanjauli has ended with normalcy restored after a day filled with tension following use of water cannons and lathicharge against the proters. Shops have opened, although a heavy police force is still deployed as a precaution. Shimla SP and DC are also on the spot.

People associated with Hindu organizations and civil society started reaching Sanjauli from Wednesday morning. Where at one point there was a clash between the police and the protesters. After the protesters broke the barricades, the police resorted to lathicharge.

A total of 11 people were injured as the protesters broke the barricades, clashed with the police, who was forced to resort to the lathicharge. The injured included 6 policemen and 5 protesters. They have been admitted to IGMC hospital.

Shimla Band on Thursday

Shimla Vyapar Mandal President Sanjeev Thakur said that the lathicharge has been done on the protesters and those belonging to Hindu organizations in Sanjauli market. Against this, the Vyapar Mandal has announced Shimla Band on Thursday. Under which the market will remain closed till 1 pm and demonstrations will be held at various places.

Earlier during the day, Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse protesters who demanded demolition of the alleged illegal mosque in Sanjauli area of Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla. The protesters who were heading towards Sanjauli on the call by the local Hindu organizations were stopped by the police after they crossed the first layer of barricades at Dhalli tunnel East portal. They tried to march towards the Sanjauli mosque. During this, the police used mild lathicharge and water cannon to stop the advancing protesters.

Amid the escalating controversy over the alleged illegal construction of mosque in Sanjauli area of Himachal Pradesh, Hindu organizations called the protest in capital Shimla on Wednesday.

Despite Section 163 being imposed in Sanjauli and permission not being granted for the protest, thousands of Hindu organization workers and local people have gathered. The protesters started moving forward by breaking the 2-layer police security cordon. People climbed the barricades and the crowd removed the barricades put up by the police. After this, the police lathi-charged the protesters who resorted to stone pelting. Many police personnel were injured.

After the lathi charge, the atmosphere became more tense. People started protesting by sitting on the road and raising slogans. The police sent the people back after convincing them. The police have made every effort to drive away the protesters. The police tried to convince the protesters, but they refused to retreat.

Women, youth and elderly came out into lanes and streets and joined the protest. Restoring normalcy became tough for the police, administration and the government. This protest is being done under the banner of Hindu Sangharsh Samiti. The police has made strong arrangements by putting up barricades near the mosque.

Kamal Gautam taken into custody

A large number of protesters blocked the road. During this, the police had detained two people including Kamal Gautam, former state general secretary of Hindu Jagran Manch. It is alleged that Kamal Gautam was trying to go near the mosque. During this, he was also seen arguing with the police. At Dhali Sabzi Mandi, a large number of people started gathering for the protest. The protesters have raised slogans of Murdabad SP Shimla and DC Shimla.

Sanjauli has been sealed by the police since morning and a large number of police forces are also deployed at the protest venue.

Before heading towards Sanjauli, the protestors staged a dharna in the Dhalli area of Shimla against the alleged illegal construction of the mosque. A heavy police force was deployed at the Dhalli Tunnel East in Shimla to foil the protest.

Media advisor to Himachal Pradesh CM Naresh Chauhan alleged that the protest was spearheaded by the BJP for polilitcal mileage by making it a Hindu-Muslim issue adding it was a "question of law and order".

Section 163 Imposed in Sanjauli

Earlier, Section 163 of the BNS will remain in force in Sanjauli today as a precationary measure to prevent a law and order situation. In an order issued to this effect, DC Shimla Anupam Kashyap said that these orders will continue from 7 am today till 11:59 pm. These orders will remain in force in the area from Nav Bahar Chowk to Eastern Portal of Dhali Tunnel, IGMC to Sanjauli Chowk, Sanjauli Chowk to Chalonthi, Dhali (via Sanjauli Chalonthi Junction). There will be a complete ban on gathering of five or more people at one place.

What Is Prohibited

DC Shimla said that no one will be allowed to protest, shout slogans, hold hunger strike without permission in Sanjauli. There will be a complete ban on any person carrying weapons like fire arms, sticks, spears, axes, bicycle chains, spears, swords or any inflammable substance with them. During the enforcement of the Section 163, there will be a complete ban on the use of loudspeakers in hospitals, courts, educational institutions and public places. Apart from this, communal, anti-national, anti-state speech slogans, wall writings, posters etc. have also been banned.

Schools, Offices To Work As Usual

However, schools, colleges, government and private offices and markets will remain open as usual. DC Shimla has appealed to the people to maintain peace in Sanjauli. The administration has made all arrangements to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate in the area and peace is not disturbed.

DC, SP Review Security Arrangements

Amid the tense atmosphere in Shimla, security arrangements have also been tightened. Police personnel have been deployed at every nook and corner of Shimla Sanjauli. In a meeting on Tuesday evening, DC Shimla Anupam Kashyap and SP Shimla Sanjeev Gandhi took stock of the security arrangements in Sanjauli. During this, DC Shimla said that strict action will be taken against those who violate the law and order adding miscreants will not be spared under any circumstances.

What Is The Mosque Controversy?

Communal tensions gripped Sanjauli after a physical altercation took place between two communities in Malyana area in which a 37-year-old Vikram Singh was grievously injured. Police arrested the accused including two minors in the case. After the incident, protests were held outside the mosque with the protesters alleging the accused took shelter inside the mosque, which they said had been built illegally.