Tensions Rise in Mandi Over Mosque Dispute: Protesters Clash with Police, Authorities Promise Resolution.

Shimla:

In Mandi, tensions surged as Hindu organizations staged a protest against a disputed mosque. Demonstrators rallied through the city and gathered at Sakohdi Bridge and Rani Khair Gadhi Chowk, where they chanted slogans and clashed with police. Authorities had set up barricades around the mosque, restricting access and leading to a confrontation with protesters. The police used water cannons to disperse the crowd, which became increasingly agitated.

Senior officials from the administration managed the situation with diplomacy, calling for calm and encouraging dialogue.

Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan addressed the crowd, announcing that the Muslim side had agreed to dismantle the mosque’s illegal extension. He assured the public that the dispute was being handled within legal bounds and expressed gratitude for the cooperation from both communities. The city’s atmosphere calmed as the crowd responded positively to the administration’s statements, gradually dispersing.

Earlier, Hindu groups had marched through the city, from Seri Manch to Chouhta Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, and other areas, before converging at Sakohdi Chowk. Police had implemented strict security measures, including barricades and a fortified perimeter around the mosque to prevent any escalation.

In a related development, the Municipal Corporation’s court ruled that the mosque’s extension must be restored to its original state within 30 days. The court’s decision came after a series of hearings following a complaint about the mosque’s illegal construction. The authorities have mandated that the mosque’s structure, which originally covered 45 square meters, be reverted to its former condition by the end of October 2024.