Protests intensify in Shimla over rising immigrants, VHP calls for state-wide bandh
- In Reports
- 03:07 PM, Sep 14, 2024
- Myind Staff
Hindu groups held a protest march in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, on Friday, demanding the demolition of an unauthorised portion of a mosque in the town. Protesters attempted to force their way toward the structure, prompting the police to use water cannons to disperse the crowd and maintain order.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed for peace and unity in the state, emphasizing the importance of respecting all religions. "I have appealed to everyone to maintain peace and make no provocative statements. No one is allowed to take the law into their hands. We respect everyone. The land of Himachal respects all religions," Sukhu stated following an all-party meeting in Shimla.
Tensions escalated in Mandi after members of the Muslim community demolished a portion of the mosque on Thursday, claiming the wall had encroached on government land. The protests followed a similar incident in Shimla earlier in the week, where Hindu groups clashed with security forces during a demonstration calling for the removal of an illegal portion of a mosque in the Sanjauli area.
Protests in Shimla had intensified, with demonstrators breaking barricades and pelting stones, leading to violent clashes with the police. Water cannons and batons were used to control the situation, resulting in around 10 people, including police personnel and women, being injured. Hindu Jagran Manch secretary Kamal Gautam was among those detained.
In Mandi, police had ramped up security, deploying additional forces after Hindu outfits announced the protest march. Protesters raised slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" as they marched through Mandi’s market and staged a sit-in at Seri Manch. Attempts to advance toward the mosque were halted by police, who resorted to using water cannons to prevent any further escalation.
The municipal corporation of Mandi served a notice to the management committee of the Jail Road Mosque, ordering the removal of the portion built on encroached land within 30 days. The notice revealed that the mosque was constructed on 232 square meters of land, while the approved area was only 45 square meters. This development came after the Muslim community had already demolished an unauthorised section of the mosque.
Iqbal Ali, a member of the mosque committee, stated on Thursday, "PWD officials had informed us that a wall of the mosque was on PWD land, and we were served a notice. So we decided to demolish the wall."
Meanwhile, members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal have demanded the demolition of all illegal structures belonging to the Muslim community, alongside the removal of encroachments on government land across the state.
Chief Minister Sukhu reiterated the call for peace, emphasising that protests should remain peaceful and democratic. He praised the Muslim community for voluntarily demolishing the unauthorised portion of the mosque and assured that all illegal constructions would be dealt with in accordance with the law. "No one has the right to hurt the sentiments of any community," he added, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and brotherhood in the state.
Meanwhile, protests intensified in parts of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday over the rising number of immigrants from other states. Demonstrations were held in Shimla and Mandi, with protesters demanding identity verification of immigrants.
In Sunni town, Shimla, markets were shut by the Sunni Vyapar Mandal following a state-wide bandh called by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). Hundreds of residents gathered in the Sunni market area to protest.
The protesters, including members of the Sunni Vyapar Mandal, also raised concerns about an alleged illegal mosque in Sanjauli and claimed that the increasing number of immigrants is causing issues in the area.
Image source: ToI
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