Tensions rise in northern India as protesters clash with police over controversial mosque construction
by Aditi VermaProtests erupted in northern India’s Himachal Pradesh over an allegedly illegal mosque construction, leading to clashes between demonstrators and police. Despite the imposition of Section 163, protesters broke through barricades and marched towards the disputed site, prompting a police lathi charge.
The incident took place near the Dhalli Tunnel and Dhalli Sabzi Mandi in the Sanjauli area of Shimla on September 11.
Visuals showed police officers were using batons to control and disperse a crowd of protesters, striking them to maintain order. Meanwhile, some protesters were fighting back, pushing and hitting the police. The scene was chaotic, with people running, shouting, and clashing, creating an atmosphere of confusion and tension.
Shimla witnessed heightened tensions as protests broke out in the Sanjauli area over an allegedly illegal mosque construction. Despite the enforcement of Section 163, prohibiting public gatherings, demonstrators continued to flood the streets. Protesters broke through barricades and attempted to march towards the controversial mosque site.
The situation escalated at the Dhalli Tunnel, where clashes between police and protesters occurred. The police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Reports indicate that the protestors were still trying to reach the mosque site despite police efforts to disperse them. The atmosphere in the Sanjauli region remains tense due to the increasing crowd of demonstrators. The district administration had imposed Section 163 from morning till midnight to maintain law and order.
Entry points to Sanjauli have been closed for both pedestrians and vehicles. Protesters gathered in large numbers near Dhalli Sabzi Mandi, raising slogans and attempting to march towards the Sanjauli mosque. To prevent the crowd from reaching the mosque, the Dhalli Tunnel has been closed on both ends. Former Hindu Jagran Manch General Secretary Kamal Gautam, who arrived in Sanjauli with his supporters, was taken into police custody.
Kamal Gautam stated that he came to Sanjauli in support of the sentiments of the Hindu community, expressing concerns that their voices are being suppressed. Some individuals under the banner of civil society tried to raise slogans in Sanjauli, but the police swiftly dispersed them. Riot control vehicles have been deployed in Sanjauli to maintain control over the situation. The district police have stationed all six state battalions in Sanjauli, and the mosque site has been completely sealed off.
Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi, who was present with the police force in Sanjauli, initially denied any tension, stating that the situation was normal and that daily activities were continuing as usual. However, the situation quickly escalated as the crowd turned aggressive. To control the situation, the police resorted to a lathi charge, which was met with stone-pelting by the angry crowd.
Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap confirmed that Section 163 is in effect in Sanjauli and warned that any unauthorized protests or demonstrations would face strict action. He appealed to the public to maintain peace and order in the region.