Protestors Clash with Police Over Mosque Demolition in Mandi

Police used water cannons to disperse protestors in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, who demanded the demolition of a mosque built on encroached land. Tensions rose after a march and dharna at Seri manch before police intervened. The mosque had an unauthorised section demolished by the Muslim community on Thursday.

Police in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, resorted to water cannons on Friday to disperse protestors demanding the demolition of a mosque allegedly built on encroached land.

The protest began with a march through the Mandi market area and a dharna at Seri Manch. As protestors attempted to approach the mosque, police intervened and used water cannons to control the crowd.

Security measures were heightened with a heavy police presence in Mandi following a call from Hindu outfits for a protest march. On Thursday, the Muslim community voluntarily demolished an unauthorized section of the mosque on Jail Road. The mosque sits on land belonging to the public works department, which, along with the municipal corporation, had issued notices to the mosque management.

(With inputs from agencies.)