Sanjauli Mosque Row: Himachal Minister Rohit Thakur urges public to trust law, maintain peace

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 11 (ANI): Amid the protest against the alleged illegal construction of Sanjauli mosque, Himachal Pradesh Minister Rohit Thakur on Wednesday urged the citizens to trust the law and maintain peace in the state.
Citing Himachal Pradesh's history of no communal violence, Thakur appealed to the public to demonstrate the protests peacefully.
"There have never been communal rights in our state. Himachal is known as Devbhoomi. Currently, the situation is normal and everyday public life is running smoothly. I appeal all the sections of the society to trust the law and the pride history of Himachal Pradesh especially when it comes to peace. Protesting is the right of the people but everything should happen within the limits of the law. I again appeal all the sections of society of state to trust the law and everything, including protests, should be done peacefully," Himachal Pradesh Minister Rohit Thakur said
Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh said that the protests should not affect the peace in the area and the state government would take action if the mosque is illegal.
"The situation is very clear. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully and Govt too has said this but there should not arise a situation which would affect the peaceful situation there. So Police have taken preventive measures. Sec 163 has been imposed there and the area has to be turned into a Police camp so that no situation arises which would raise questions on the law and order in the state. As far as the construction of that illegal structure is concerned, the matter is sub-judice, Govt will take a decision after hearing. We have clearly said that if it is found to be illegal, action will definitely be taken and it will be demolished. But that is a step that will be taken once the order of the Municipal Commissioner comes, it will not be right to take action before that," Vikramaditya Singh said.
Earlier in the day, as the protest over the alleged illegal construction of a mosque in the Sanjauli area intensified, police personnel used water cannons and resorted to lathicharge to disperse protestors heading towards the Sanjauli area of Shimla. Protestors removed the first layer of barricading and clashed with the security forces while entering the Dhalli Tunnel East portal during their protest march. The protests have been called by Hindu organizations over the alleged illegal construction of Sanjauli mosque. (ANI)