Protesters Clash with Police Over Mosque Demolition in Shimla

Protesters demanding the demolition of an illegal portion of a mosque in Shimla's Sanjauli area clashed with police on Wednesday after breaking barricades. The tense situation led to a heavy police presence, detentions, and injuries. Local leaders appealed for peace and expedited legal action on the long-standing dispute.

Protesters demanding the demolition of an illegal portion of a mosque in Shimla's Sanjauli area were lathi-charged by security forces on Wednesday after they broke police barricades during a demonstration.

Raising slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Hindu Ekta Zindabad,' hundreds of protestors gathered at the Sabzi Mandi Dhalli and marched towards Sanjauli, defying prohibitory orders and ignoring warnings from the administration. They broke through barricades erected near the Dhalli tunnel.

As the protestors entered Sanjauli and broke a second barricade near the mosque, police resorted to lathi-charge and used water cannons to disperse them. Several protesters, including Hindu Jagran Manch secretary Kamal Gautam, were detained. Despite this, the protesters continued raising slogans against the administration.

Many women joined the protest, reciting Hanuman Chalisa at Dhalli before breaking the barricades. Senior police officials, including DGP Atul Verma, were present at the scene. Vijay Sharma, a leader of the demonstration, stated that the police action created a volatile atmosphere and demanded that the structure be sealed until the hearing on October 5.

The demonstrators alleged that the government denied them permission for peaceful protests, resulting in arrests and injuries. Amid escalating tensions, security was heightened in Sanjauli and nearby areas.

Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh and other officials appealed for peace, emphasizing the need for legal resolution. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cautioned against politicizing the issue and underscored the importance of maintaining law and order.

(With inputs from agencies.)