Furious demonstration over illegal construction of mosque in Shimla, clash between police and protesters, Section 163 imposed
Shimla| The recent tense situation regarding illegal construction of a mosque in Shimla has taken a violent turn. Protestors broke police barricades and pelted stones in Sanjauli, resulting in injuries to a constable and a protestor. Police used lathicharge and water cannon to control the situation. The protesters broke the barricades in Dhali Tunnel and proceeded towards Sanjauli, where they were stopped again outside SBI. The protesters pelted stones, leading to violence. The police used lathicharge and water cannon when the angry mob tried to break the barricade. Many protesters were injured in this action and the situation became tense.
The disputed mosque in Sanjauli was constructed before 1947 and since 2010 the Municipal Corporation has been receiving complaints regarding its permanent construction. The municipal corporation has issued orders to remove illegal construction 35 times. Section 163 has been enacted in Shimla, under which gathering of 5 or more people is prohibited from 7 am to 11:59 pm. Police have also taken out a flag march and the area is being monitored with drones.
Hindu Jagran Manch leader Kamal Gautam has been detained and several other leaders are claimed to have been arrested. Police have stopped movement near Dhali Tunnel. The resolution of this dispute and the monitoring of the general state of the situation continue, and the Administration is making efforts to maintain peace in the region.
