Mandi Jail Road mosque illegal & must be demolished, declares Municipal Corporation court
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Gives Muslim side 30 days to file appeal against verdict
Mandi:In a significant ruling, the Commissioner’s court of the Mandi Municipal Corporation delivered a verdict today on the controversial Jail Road Mosque case. Commissioner HH Rana announced that the mosque’s structure has been declared illegal and will be demolished. The decision mandates the restoration of the area to its original state. The Muslim community has been given 30 days to appeal the decision.
Protests begin in Mandi
Following the decision, protests erupted at Seri Manch in Mandi, with protesters chanting Hanuman Chalisa. The crowd began to gather in large numbers, creating a tense atmosphere around the area.
The Mandi Municipal Corporation offices are under strict police surveillance, with no unauthorised entry allowed. Multiple roads leading to the office have been blocked, and a large number of police personnel have been deployed to maintain order. Assistant District Commissioner (ADC) Rohit Kumar and other key officials were seen heading towards the Municipal Corporation office for further proceedings.
Restrictions imposed under Section 163
In light of the situation, Section 163 has been imposed in seven wards of Mandi city, including in Thanehra, Mohna Palace Colony, Suhada Mohna and Samaj Khetar. This section restricts gatherings of more than five people and prohibits any form of public protest or demonstrations without permission.
The police have set up three-layer barricades at Sakodi Chowk, with additional security measures in place, including the use of water pipes to prevent the gathering of large crowds. Roads leading to the mosque have been sealed, and the mosque’s gates remain locked under police protection.
Mosque Friday prayers amid tight security
With Friday being a significant day for prayers, a large number of people from the Muslim community were expected to gather at the mosque. However, given the tense situation and the implementation of Section 163, authorities have ensured tight security at all entry points to prevent any untoward incidents.
As per the orders, exemptions have been granted to magistrates, government employees, fire services, police, paramilitary forces, municipal corporation workers, and media personnel. Authorities have appealed to the public to maintain peace and abide by the law.
This marks the first time Section 163 has been enforced in Mandi, with restrictions on the use of loudspeakers, public speeches and demonstrations involving religious or political symbols. The district administration has also prohibited the public display of weapons and arms training in these areas.
With tensions running high, the Muslim community is considering filing an appeal within the 30-day window.
