Shimla Traders Protest Police Action in Sanjauli

Shimla, September 12, 2024: In response to Wednesday’s police lathi-charge on Hindu organizations protesting against the alleged illegal construction of a mosque in Sanjauli, the Shimla Traders Association called for a half-day shutdown today. Markets remained closed from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, as traders and locals expressed their anger against the administration and the government. A rally was held from Sher-e-Punjab to the DC office, where protestors raised slogans and condemned the police action.

The protests in Sanjauli had turned violent on Wednesday, despite the imposition of Section 163. Thousands of protestors demanded the demolition of the mosque, leading to clashes with the police. To control the crowd, the police resorted to two rounds of lathi-charge and used water cannons. Six police officers and 12 civilians were injured in the altercation, with dozens sustaining minor injuries. Despite police efforts to disperse the crowd, tension continued to escalate as the protestors broke through barricades and came within 50 meters of the mosque.