HP sees communal din for first time

It is for the first time in the history of Himachal that communal tension has erupted over the issue of illegal construction of a mosque in the outskirts of Shimla--the Sanjauli hills.

- KS TOMAR

The police clamped prohibitory orders even as the protestors clashed with police which, in turn, took recourse to lathi charge and water canons to regulate the crowd leading to injuries to some.

The controversy has created a wedge between Congress party's local MLA, Harish Janartha, and rural development minister, Anirudh Singh, which has given an opportunity to the BJP and Right Wing outfits to fish in the troubled waters and demand demolition of the illegal structure.

The protestors brandished Tricolours in their hands and raised slogans like "Himachal Ne Thana Hai, Devbhoomi Ko Bachana Hai", "Bharat Matal Ki Jai!"

The controversy stems from the construction of a mosque in the Sanjauli area, which locals allege is illegal. The Waqf Board, however, asserts its ownership rights, and the matter is currently in consideration in the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner's court, with the next hearing set for October 5.