Lathicharge by police in Shimla (ANI)
Tensions escalated today in Sanjauli, Shimla, as police engaged in a lathicharge and employed water cannons to disperse protesters opposing the construction of a mosque in the area.
Earlier today, authorities had set up barricades on all roads leading to Sanjauli. Despite these measures, protesters, including members of several Hindu organizations, managed to breach these barriers and advance towards their target location. The demonstrators gathered in Dhalli, Shimla, voicing their objections to what they claim is the illegal construction of the mosque.
#WATCH | Shimla Protests | Himachal Pradesh: Protestors clash with the security forces, remove the barricading and enter the Dhalli Tunnel East portal during their protest rally against the alleged illegal construction of a Mosque in the Sanjauli area pic.twitter.com/9t03EqPuKM
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2024
The scene was charged with energy as protesters waved tricolors and chanted slogans such as "Himachal Ne Thana Hai, Devbhoomi Ko Bachana Hai" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." The protest, organized by Hindu groups, has been framed as a response to the alleged unlawful building activities in Sanjauli.
हिमाचल प्रदेश : संजौली में मस्जिद निर्माण के खिलाफ प्रदर्शन कर रहे लोगों पर पुलिस ने लाठीचार्ज किया। वाटर कैनन से बौछार की।
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) September 11, 2024
दरअसल, आज पुलिस ने संजौली जाने वाले सभी रास्तों पर बेरिकेड्स लगाए हुए थे। प्रदर्शनकारी इन बेरिकेड्स को गिराकर आगे बढ़ रहे थे। pic.twitter.com/t6lNK4OQhs
Naresh Chauhan, Media Advisor to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, criticized the BJP's attempt to politicize the issue. He emphasized that the matter was fundamentally about law and order rather than a Hindu-Muslim dispute. Chauhan remarked, "All the people that have gathered, I know them personally. These 20-25 people are BJP workers and they have contested elections on BJP tickets... The BJP wants to make this a national issue but the reality is that this is not a Hindu-Muslim issue. It is a law and order situation and the law will take its course... The CM has said that any action that needs to be taken related to any unauthorized construction, will be taken... Some people who see a political opportunity in this will not get support."
Chauhan further noted that the local population had not been actively involved in the protests and criticized the BJP's attempt to gain traction through social media.
Jairam Thakur, the Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, condemned the Sukhu government for its perceived delay in addressing the construction issue. Thakur stated, "Himachal Pradesh is a peaceful state. There have hardly been any community conflicts here. But, now the situation that has emerged, the government should have taken active measures against it, and people are agitated because of the delay. The sentiments of the Hindus and the local people must be respected... Imposing BNSS 163 is an attempt to suppress the voice of the people... There should be peaceful protests within the limits of the law. I urge the government that if it is an unauthorized construction, then this problem should be solved soon."
In preparation for the protest march, a heavy police presence was deployed at the Dhalli tunnel in Shimla. Officials meticulously inspected vehicles to prevent any potential disruptions or incidents during the demonstration.
#WATCH संजौली, शिमला (हिमाचल प्रदेश): संजीव कुमार गांधी (एसपी शिमला) ने कहा, "...यहां पर नॉर्मल लाइफ चल रही है सभी लोग ऑफिस की तरफ जा रहे हैं। लेकिन एहतियातन के तौर पर हमने यहां पर प्राप्त पुलिस का बंदोबस्त किया है..हम ड्रोन से भी निगरानी कर रहे हैं अगर कोई कानून को तोड़ेगा तो… https://t.co/vhtbUitCJU pic.twitter.com/HaBEayGv7V
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) September 11, 2024
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