Clashes Erupt in Shimla Over Mosque Demolition Demands

Protestors in Shimla's Sanjauli area clashed with police on Wednesday over demands for the demolition of an illegal mosque structure. Defying prohibitory orders, they broke barricades and threw stones, prompting police to use water cannons and lathi-charges. The unrest stranded students in schools and left both police and protestors injured.

Violent clashes erupted in Shimla's Sanjauli area on Wednesday as protestors demanding the demolition of an allegedly illegal mosque structure clashed with security forces. Breaking barricades and hurling stones, the protestors faced water cannons and lathi-charges from the police.

Hundreds of demonstrators, chanting slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Hindu Ekta Zindabad,' ignored prohibitory orders to gather at Sabzi Mandi Dhalli and march towards Sanjauli. As tensions escalated, police detained several protestors, including key leaders, while the crowd continued to raise slogans against the administration.

Amidst the chaos, students were left stranded in schools, with parents and residents expressing frustration over the administration's failure to close educational institutions for the day. Injuries were reported on both sides as sporadic violence continued, leaving the administration scrambling to restore order.

(With inputs from agencies.)