Himachal: Security forces to be deployed as protests continue in Shimla over Sanjauli mosque controversy

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 13 (ANI): As protests continued in Shimla over the Sanjauli mosque controversy on Friday, Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said that security forces will be deployed.
"People from the Mandi district and outside held protests, and we urged them to keep their views forward peacefully...They demanded that action be taken against the Sanjauli Mosque. We informed them about the facts as a lot of rumours are being spread on social media...," DC Devgan told ANI.
He added, "The Muslim community is also cooperating and they have said they want to follow the law...Given the situation, a portion has been closed and security forces will be deployed in the area...Alternate routes will be available..."
Meanwhile, Hindu organisations staged a protest on Friday. As the crowd tried to bring down the line of barricades, police resorted to firing water cannons to disperse the crowd.
The protests had been called for by Hindu organisations even after mosque authorities demolished parts of the complex that were allegedly unauthorised. Large crowds of protestors gathered along the jail road in Mandi and shouted slogans against the state government, demanding action against the alleged illegal construction.
Earlier on Friday, the Himachal Pradesh Police tightened security and placed barricades in the Jail Road area in Mandi.
According to Mandi Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma, the heightened security was done following information received by the police of a gathering called by some organisation.
This protest followed those that broke out over the illegal construction of a mosque on Wednesday.
Around 300 police personnel were deployed across the city and police nakas were placed at the entrance of Mandi town, Verma added.
"Law and order will be maintained. Through different sources, we have information that some organisations have given a call to gather here. 300 police personnel have been deployed, and police nakas have been placed at the entrance of Mandi town. Action will be taken on violation of prohibitory orders under 163 BNS," SP Verma said.
However, BJP spokesperson Chetan Bragta criticised the police for using force to disperse the protestors, "Another brazen attack on Hindus by the Congress government of Himachal, this time in Mandi. First Shimla, now this--using water cannons and force to suppress people. What exactly is this government trying to achieve?"
Earlier on Friday, the police released the stone-pelting video of Wednesday's protest held in Sanjauli over the matter.
Eight FIRs had been registered so far and six policemen were injured in the protest, including a woman police officer who had vertebral fractures and is in a serious condition.
Earlier on Wednesday, protestors removed the first layer of barricading and clashed with the security forces while entering the Dhalli Tunnel East portal during their protest march. Police personnel used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse protestors heading towards the Sanjauli area of Shimla. (ANI)