DEHRADUN: 4 law enforcement officials have been injured, and several other outlets owned by Muslims have been ransacked throughout violence that broke out on Thursday when police tried to cease members of right-wing teams and locals from reaching a 55-year-old mosque that they had earlier threatened to raze.
Protesters claimed the mosque was “illegally constructed” regardless of the district administration’s latest declaration that the mosque was legally registered in 1969.Police needed to resort to lathicharge – and a flag march later – as protesters, unable to achieve the mosque, hurled stones at cops.
Uttarkashi SP Amit Srivastava stated no formal case had been registered but, however assured that investigations have been underway. “Police took applicable motion after the protesters began pelting stones, which led 4 officers being injured. We’re reviewing movies and CCTV footage to determine these concerned within the violence, and a case might be registered quickly,” Srivastava stated.
Members of Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and different organisations underneath the ‘Sanyukta Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh Uttarakhand‘ rejected the administration’s assertion, saying the district’s official clarification on the mosque “solely lined the land on which it’s constructed”. In a press release, the group stated, “We have now all of the paperwork to show the mosque is unlawful and can quickly share them with the folks.”
On Sept 10, TOI reported that members of those right-wing outfits held their first protest rally, demanding the demolition of the Jama Masjid and expulsion of Muslim households dwelling close by.
The protesters had additionally introduced their plan for Thursday’s bigger ‘Janakrosh’ rally. Anticipating unrest, police deployed heavy safety across the mosque and close by areas. Barricades have been set as much as stop protesters from reaching the mosque.
An area, who requested anonymity, stated, “Protesters started gathering at Hanuman Chowk at 9am, and by midday, their quantity had swelled. They have been shouting provocative slogans towards the minority neighborhood, claiming Uttarkashi has no place for a mosque.”
A member of the minority neighborhood, whose household has lived close to the mosque for practically 80 years, toldTOI, “Regardless of the administration confirming the mosque’s legality, protesters went forward with their rally. They even attacked the police and vandalised at the very least 4 outlets owned by Muslims.
We live in worry. We simply need to reside and earn our livelihood in peace.” Naeem Qureshi, president of the Dehradun-based Muslim Sewa Sangathan, criticised the authorities for failing to guard minorities. “This rally exhibits full disregard for legislation and order.
The administration’s determination was ignored, and the violence is a part of an agenda to create pressure and push for a Hindu Rashtra. We demand that the authorities involved take steps to make sure minorities can reside safely as equal residents in Uttarakhand,” Qureshi stated.
