Hundreds protest against “illegal” construction of a mosque in Shimla

Shimla: Hundreds of people gathered in Sanjauli, a suburb of Shimla, on Sunday to protest against the “illegal” construction of a mosque and an attack on a trader in Malyana district.

The protesters demanded the demolition of the building and the filing of attempted murder charges against those who attacked and seriously injured the businessman on Friday.

Nearly 500 people from different parts of the city took part in the demonstration and expressed concern over the increasing number of migrants belonging to the minority community in Shimla and also demanded police verification and registration of these “outsiders”.

Senior district administration officials arrived at the spot to pacify the troublemakers. The officials admitted that part of the building constructed on the Waqf Board premises was “illegal” and that the case would be heard in the city court on Saturday.

They said it was a sensitive issue and that religious sentiments of different communities were affected.

Shimla Police Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said the case of attack on a businessman would be treated under the angle of attempt to murder and appealed to the protesters to maintain peace.

He said the investigation into the case had been handed over to a DSP rank officer and migrants from other states were being registered.

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the investigation would be conducted as per relevant provisions.

“The construction of the top floor of the said building was not permitted and proceedings are pending in the state court. The construction work has been stopped,” a civic official said, adding that a toilet was constructed “illegally” a month ago and was demolished after 24 hours' notice.

The problems began when the businessman and some other traders in the Malyana area were attacked with rods and sticks by half a dozen members of the minority on Friday evening as they were returning home. Four of them were injured.

The businessman suffered serious head injuries in the attack. The police filed a complaint in the case.