Residents protest against ‘illegal’ mosque construction in Mandi

Residents of the town staged a protest outside the Municipal Corporation office here today against the alleged illegal construction of a mosque on Jail Road. They alleged that the construction work continued despite a stay order. Raising the slogans, the protesters marched through the town and recited Hanuman Chalisa outside the MC office.

The police urged the protesters to take up the matter with the Municipal Corporation.

Gopal Kapoor, a local, alleged that the situation reflected a larger conspiracy involving migrants. Kapoor alleged that 60 to 70 sq ft land had been unlawfully occupied at the construction site. He said the protests will continue until the mosque was sealed.

Mandi MC Commissioner HS Rana said they had earlier issued a notice against the alleged illegal construction of the mosque on Jail Road.

A committee was constituted today to inspect the construction site and to assess the present status of the under-construction mosque in the area, he added.