On Thursday, the mosque dispute in Uttarkashi turned violent, creating a tense atmosphere in the city when police and protesters clashed during a rally called by the Sanyukta Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Dal. During this period, 27 people, including eight policemen, sustained injuries due to stone pelting and lathi-throwing. Section 163 of the BNS was imposed in view of the tension.
Giving information on the matter, SP Uttarkashi Amit Srivastava said that the Samyukta Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Dal’s rally on Thursday had been approved by the administration. The route and timetable had also been revised. However, he insisted that an alternative route should be taken instead of following the fixed route. When the police tried to stop them, a section of protesters started pelting stones, following which the police used moderate force and dispersed the crowd.
He said that eight police personnel were injured during the clashes, two of whom were seriously injured. On Thursday, Hindu organisations called a huge demonstration against the mosque. By this time, a large number of people had gathered at Hanuman Chowk. The protesters wanted to march towards the mosque, but the police had already barricaded Vishwanath Tiraha on Bhatwadi Road, so he could not reach the mosque.
Tensions in the area after the police attack
Then, tensions escalated between the two sides and a scuffle broke out, following which the police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the crowd. The angry protesters pelted stones at the police. Many people, both police and protesters, were injured in the clashes. The authorities tried to control the situation, but the protesters refused to obey the police.After the lathi charge, the crowd of protesters dispersed and some of them reached the Collectorate, where they shouted slogans against the district administration. Later, the protesters split into small groups in the market and started attacking shops belonging to traders from other municipalities. During this period, there was chaos in the market and traders started closing their shops.
Section 163 of BNS was in force in the area
The police and administration took immediate action to control the situation. DM Dr Meharban Singh Bisht imposed Section 163 of the BNS in the district from late night till further orders. Under this, a ban was imposed on gathering of five or more people in the district. It also banned gatherings, processions, demonstrations and use of loudspeakers. Legal action was notified for violation of Section 163.After the incident, the police appealed to the participants of the rally to maintain peace and law and order. However, an atmosphere of tension prevailed in the city, which was disrupting normal activities in the markets. Hindu organisations announced a bandh today in protest against the police’s lathi charge. During this period, shops were closed since morning. Due to this, it was difficult for passengers to even get water. The police and administration are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to prevent any unexpected incidents.
Such violence and tension is not unexpected in Uttarkashi but the administration and police are hopeful that the situation will normalize soon. Security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas and the situation is being monitored regularly.
