NEW DELHI: Several towns across Himachal Pradesh witnessed a bandh (strike) called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and various business groups in the wake of the protest against the alleged unauthorised construction of the Mosque and recent police action taken against the protestors.
In the bandh that lasted till 11 am, protestors marched in places like Bilaspur, Kullu, Chamba, Hamirpur, and Paonta Sahib.
In the capital Shimla, however, the bandh had minimal impact as the Beopar Mandal had already observed a similar closure on Thursday.
Protesters marched through the streets of Hamirpur and Chamba reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and voicing their opposition to what they called the " illegal expansion " of Mosques in the state.
Protestors' main complaint revolved around the construction of a portion of a mosque in Shimla and alleged encroachment on government land by a mosque in Mandi.
Protests in the hill state escalated after police used "laathi charged" in Shimla, and used water cannons in Mandi against demonstrators on Wednesday and Friday.
The protesters have also raised concerns about the presence of "outsiders" in the state and are demanding thorough verification of individuals from outside Himachal Pradesh.
“The Manali Beopar Mandal kept shops closed for two hours in support of the cause,” said Rajneesh, the general secretary of the Manali Beopar Mandal. In Dalhousie, shops remained shut as well.
Tensions have been rising since Wednesday's clashes between police and protesters in Shimla’s Sanjauli area, where ten people, including four police officers, were injured.
In response, the police have filed FIRs against 50 individuals involved in the protests.
"There have been several incidents of Muslims taking laws in hand in Chamba and we have been strongly advocating for verification of outsiders for a long time," said VHP state president Keshav Verma.
"The VHP would continue to fight for the rights of Hindus and local people and would not allow people from other states with fake Aadhaar Cards to harm their cause," said Pankaj Bhartiya, state VHP assistant secretary.
"A number of unauthorised mosques have come up in various parts of the state including Hamirpur," he alleged.
Anil Soni, Beopar Mandal chief of Hamirpur, said the traders support the cause of the local people and would not tolerate the activities of those selling their goods without any valid documents or paying taxes.
Amid the tension brewing in Himachal, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed for peace and harmony on Friday.
He urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to refrain from making provocative statements.
"We respect all religions, and Himachal Pradesh has always been a land of peace and brotherhood. Tourists are welcome, and we must maintain that spirit,” the chief minister said.
In the bandh that lasted till 11 am, protestors marched in places like Bilaspur, Kullu, Chamba, Hamirpur, and Paonta Sahib.
In the capital Shimla, however, the bandh had minimal impact as the Beopar Mandal had already observed a similar closure on Thursday.
Protesters marched through the streets of Hamirpur and Chamba reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and voicing their opposition to what they called the " illegal expansion " of Mosques in the state.
Protestors' main complaint revolved around the construction of a portion of a mosque in Shimla and alleged encroachment on government land by a mosque in Mandi.
Protests in the hill state escalated after police used "laathi charged" in Shimla, and used water cannons in Mandi against demonstrators on Wednesday and Friday.
The protesters have also raised concerns about the presence of "outsiders" in the state and are demanding thorough verification of individuals from outside Himachal Pradesh.
“The Manali Beopar Mandal kept shops closed for two hours in support of the cause,” said Rajneesh, the general secretary of the Manali Beopar Mandal. In Dalhousie, shops remained shut as well.
Tensions have been rising since Wednesday's clashes between police and protesters in Shimla’s Sanjauli area, where ten people, including four police officers, were injured.
In response, the police have filed FIRs against 50 individuals involved in the protests.
"There have been several incidents of Muslims taking laws in hand in Chamba and we have been strongly advocating for verification of outsiders for a long time," said VHP state president Keshav Verma.
"The VHP would continue to fight for the rights of Hindus and local people and would not allow people from other states with fake Aadhaar Cards to harm their cause," said Pankaj Bhartiya, state VHP assistant secretary.
"A number of unauthorised mosques have come up in various parts of the state including Hamirpur," he alleged.
Anil Soni, Beopar Mandal chief of Hamirpur, said the traders support the cause of the local people and would not tolerate the activities of those selling their goods without any valid documents or paying taxes.
Amid the tension brewing in Himachal, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed for peace and harmony on Friday.
He urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to refrain from making provocative statements.
"We respect all religions, and Himachal Pradesh has always been a land of peace and brotherhood. Tourists are welcome, and we must maintain that spirit,” the chief minister said.
You may also like
Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalates, stoking fears of regional war
David Raya makes 'one of best saves ever' as Arsenal stopper wows with penalty heroics
Panic in Honduras as mass prison escape attempt leaves two dead
David Raya pulls off 'one of best saves ever' as Arsenal keeper stuns pundits vs Atalanta
