Violent protests over alleged unauthorized mosque construction in Shimla lead to multiple FIRs
Shimla Police have filed four First Information Reports (FIRs) following violent protests in Sanjauli on September 11, 2024. The unrest was triggered by accusations of illegal construction of a mosque in the area.
The FIRs, lodged at Dhalli police station, outline charges including rioting, unlawful assembly, and assaulting police personnel. Several individuals have been named, with the police also probing the involvement of unidentified protesters.
According to authorities, violence erupted when protesters clashed with security forces, defying prohibitory orders and dismantling barricades. Six police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation.
Prominent individuals named in the FIRs include former Mayor Satya Kaundal, Kamal Gotam, Mahender Kumar (Nilu), Vikas Thapta, Naresh Dasta, and many others. Police stated that the demonstrators violated protest permissions, raised anti-minority slogans, and are likely to face charges related to communal unrest.
A video captured about 70-80 meters from the mosque, shows the location where two clashes between the police and the protesters took place. To prevent further escalation, the police had to resort to mild force. The stone-pelting occurred when protesters broke through the barricades at Dhalli Tunnel and advanced towards Sanjauli. When the police tried to stop them near the SBI Bank, some protesters started throwing stones. The incident was caught on CCTV from a nearby shop and has since gone viral on social media.
Shimla Police are now working to identify the individuals responsible for the stone-pelting, using the video as evidence. Six police officers were injured, including a female constable who sustained a leg fracture and is currently receiving treatment at IGMC. So far, eight FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident.
On September 11, Section 144 was in effect in Sanjauli, and despite the restrictions, protesters tried to break through the barricades. The police are conducting a thorough investigation and had deployed drones to capture photographs of the protest. Several officers suffered serious injuries, and legal proceedings are underway.
