Ujjain tense as mosque demolition triggers stone-pelting; 15 arrested

To bring the situation under control, police fired tear gas shells and resorted to cane charge to disperse the crowd.

Fifteen people have been arrested in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on Monday for allegedly attempting to disturb peace, following an altercation between protestors and police personnel during the demolition of a portion of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project, police said.

Security personnel disperse protesters by firing tear gas shells following stone-pelting incidents during a protest against the proposed removal of a portion of the 'Shahi Masjid' for road widening, in Ujjain (ANI)

According to police, a crowd hurled stones at security personnel deployed for the demolition drive, leaving several policemen injured. The injured were administered primary treatment.

To bring the situation under control, police fired tear gas shells and resorted to cane charge to disperse the crowd. Later in the afternoon, a large number of Muslim women staged a protest at the site, demanding an immediate halt to the demolition drive.

“On Sunday night, the mosque committee had agreed to the demolition of a portion that constitutes less than 10% of the mosque premises. However, some social media influencers and local residents spread misinformation claiming that the entire mosque was being demolished,” said Ujjain superintendent of police Pradeep Sharma.

Ujjain collector Roshan Kumar said that only a small portion of the mosque structure was affected by the project.

“Fourteen religious structures are affected by the project, and 12 have already been removed with the cooperation of religious leaders,” Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court on Monday dismissed a petition challenging the action related to the mosque.

The court observed that the Municipal Corporation could proceed in accordance with the Ujjain Development Plan and due legal process.