Shimla: Commercial activities in the Himachal Pradesh capital came to a halt for half a day on Thursday (September 12, 2024) as traders staged a protest against the Wednesday lathi-charge in Sanjauli.
Markets across Shimla remained shut from 10 am to 1 pm in response to the call for a bandh by the Shimla Beopar Mandal, following a violent clash between Hindu organisations and the police over the alleged illegal construction at a mosque in Sanjauli.
March organised on Mall Road
The traders, led by Shimla Beopar Mandal president Sanjeev Thakur, organised a rally from Sher-e-Punjab to the DC office, demanding action against the police’s handling of the protest on Wednesday.
During the march, demonstrators raised slogans against the government and the administration, decrying the excessive use of force. A significant number of shop owners and residents joined the protest, resulting in the temporary closure of businesses and a deserted look in the usually bustling markets.
Despite the shutdown, government offices, educational institutions and public transport services functioned as usual. Hotels and restaurants in the private sector, however, largely participated in the strike, adding to the impact of the protest.
6 cops were among 12 injured
Tensions first escalated on Wednesday when Hindu organisations protested against the alleged illegal construction at a Sanjauli mosque. Despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 (earlier Section 144), thousands of protestors gathered, demanding the demolition of portions of the mosque they claimed were unauthorized.
For six hours, the demonstrators clashed with the police, who resorted to using lathi-charge and water cannons to control the crowd. The situation worsened as protesters broke through police barricades, resulting in injuries to 12 persons, including six police personnel. Among the injured was a female constable, who is currently being treated for a lumbar vertebra fracture at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH).
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Unrest spreading to other parts
The Shimla unrest has triggered similar tensions in other parts of the state, including Mandi and Bilaspur, where Hindu groups are demanding the demolition of unauthorised mosques. These groups argue that the Muslim population in Himachal Pradesh, which is less than 2 per cent, does not warrant the increasing number of mosques in the state, questioning the sources of funding for these structures.
Chief Minister appeals for calm
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has appealed for calm, urging citizens not to politicise the issue. He emphasised the need to maintain law and order, reassuring that the matter of the alleged unauthorised construction at the Sanjauli mosque was under investigation.
The Shimla Municipal Corporation has scheduled the next hearing on the issue for October 5, asking the Waqf Board and the mosque committee to clarify how the mosque expanded from one floor to five.
