PNS | UTTARKASHI
The business fraternity, Hindu organisations and locals observed a bandh in the Yamuna valley in Uttarkashi on Friday in protest against the lathi charge on those protesting on Thursday against a mosque allegedly constructed illegally in Uttarkashi city. The lathi charge and stone pelting during the protest left dozens of persons including policemen injured.
Apart from the bandh, the district administration imposed section 163 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent any further escalation and ensure public safety. The imposition of this section prohibits the assembly of five or more people.The district administration has stated that the mosque has not been built illegally while the Sainyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh, which led the protest on Thursday, claims that the structure is unauthorised.
The markets in the Yamuna valley remained shut down in protest. The authorities deployed police force to ensure law and order. According to local sources, the situation is tense but peaceful and under control. The police have lodged cases against the alleged stone pelters including eight men who were among the protesters, which has miffed the Hindu bodies. The local residents are not unanimous in their response to the incident as some support the action taken by the authorities while some oppose it.
The authorities are alert and taking necessary precautions to prevent deterioration of the situation. Meanwhile, Hindu organisations and locals State that the demographic change in the region and the incident on Thursday has caused dissatisfaction among the locals in Uttarkashi, Badkot and Chamba.the authorities ate probing the incident. Action will be taken against those found guilty, officials said. The Hindu organisations have stated that they will intensify their agitation if their demand for action against the “unauthorised” mosque is not met.
The Sainyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh has announced that it will hold a Mahapanchayat on November 4 while continuing a non-violent protest and communication with the authorities on the issue.
