Shimla mosque controversy: Protest turns violent as police rain lathis, cop among several injured
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Tensions escalated in Shimla suburb Sanjauli on Wednesday as protesters, defying prohibitory orders, clashed with the Himachal Pradesh Police over alleged illegal construction at a mosque.
The protest, led by Hindu organisations, turned violent after protesters breached police barricades and moved towards the disputed mosque site, resulting in a lathicharge by the authorities.
Despite Section 163 being enforced in the area from 7 am to 11.59 pm, hundreds of protesters gathered at a petrol pump in Dhalli and later marched towards Sanjauli. The crowd, chanting slogans, pushed past barricades set up at Dhalli tunnel, despite police attempts to stop them. The situation turned violent when the protesters broke through the final barricades near Sanjauli Chowk.
Also Read: https://thenewzradar.com/shimla-mosque-controversy-protesters-defy-prohibitory-orders-in-sanjauli-reach-disputed-site/
Police outnumbered by mob
The police, outnumbered and struggling to control the crowd, resorted to lathicharge. Many protesters, as well as a police officer, were injured in the clash. Water cannons were also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowd, but tensions remained high as protesters continued to raise slogans just 100 metres away from the mosque.
Kamal Gautam, a leader of the Hindu Jagran Manch, was detained by the police earlier in the day. His arrest further fuelled the anger of the crowd, with thousands of demonstrators gathering in Sanjauli, demanding action against the alleged illegal construction at the mosque.
Clashes first started in Dhalli
The protest, which began peacefully with over 200 participants, intensified as demonstrators attempted to break through police barricades outside Dhalli tunnels. A scuffle broke out between the protesters and the police, leading to the closure of both Dhalli tunnels to traffic. Protesters were adamant about marching towards Sanjauli, leading to further confrontations with the authorities.
By midday, the situation spiralled out of control when the protesters reached Sanjauli market and clashed with security personnel. In response to the crowd breaching the final barricade, the police conducted a lathicharge, injuring several protesters. The protesters accused the police of excessive force while local residents expressed anger over handling of the situation.
