Hundreds of protestors gathered to demand demolition of a controversial building being constructed for a mosque clashed with police in Sanjauli area of Shimla on Wednesday.
The protesters mobilized by a few pro –Hindu organizations had marched to Sanjauli bazaar defying prohibitory orders passed by Shimla district administration and imposition of section 163 (earlier section 144) in the area, after denial of permission for the march.
The protesters were insisting on demolition of a multi –storied building (mosque) allegedly being constructed illegally in Sanjauli area.
Defying the prohibitory orders the protesters assembled at Sabzi Mandi Dhalli and marched towards Sanjauli in the morning to lodge their protest and broke the barricades erected by the police near the Dhalli tunnel.
As the protestors broke the second barricade erected by the police, police personnel deployed at the places used force and water cannons to disperse them.
The district administration on Tuesday had held a meeting with leaders of the protesters to find a solution to the ongoing problem but no headway could be made after which the administration had imposed prohibitory orders and the police personnel also held a flag march last night in Sanjauli bazaar.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “While people have a right to protest, every effort should be made not to disturb peace and assured action in the matter as per law.”
A police source said, “The situation in Sanjauli after the incident is under control and no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands .”
