Uttarkashi mosque demolition protest: Over 200 booked for attack on police during rally

Uttarkashi mosque demolition protest: Over 200 booked for stone-pelting during right-wing protest demanding demolition of the religious structure constructed on government land

More than 200 people have been booked in connection with a stone-pelting incident that occurred during a right-wing outfit’s protest demanding demolition of a mosque allegedly built on the government land here.

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According to Uttarkashi Kotwali SHO Amarjeet Singh, eight people have been named in the FIRs registered under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in force across the district, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Amit Shrivastava said.

On Thursday (October 24, 2024), 27 people, including seven policemen, got injured during a protest by the Sanyukt Hindu Sangathan who demanded the demolition of a mosque in Barahat area alleging that it is built on government land.

The protesters sat on a dharna on the Gangotri National Highway and started reciting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ but when they tried to remove the barricading, a scuffle broke out between them and the police.

Officials said some people started hurling stones, after which the police first fired tear gas shells and later lathicharged in which some protesters and policemen got injured. Flag marches were also conducted besides deployment of additional police personnel in sensitive areas, Mr. Shrivastava said.