Row over alleged vandalism at Hindu place of worship, Friday prayers offered amid tight security

On Friday, members of right-wing organisation alleged Muslims had vandalised the havan kund near the ground at Chatai Wali mosque in Sector 9 where they had performed puja the night earlier

Members of a Hindu group on Friday alleged that a Trishul and a hawan kund set up in the ground adjacent to Chatai Wali mosque in Noida’s Sector 9 was damaged by the members of Muslim community, which led to tension during the afternoon prayers at the mosque.

Muslims offer prayers amid tight security at Chatai Wali mosque in Noida's Sector 9 on Friday (HT Photo)

Hundreds of members of right-wing organisations gathered at the spot before ahead of the Friday prayers, as the information about alleged vandalism spread among masses.

Sensing trouble, the Noida police deployed more than 150 police personnel in the area for peaceful passage of Friday prayers at the mosque. Muslims, however, denied the allegation and their involvement in the incident. Muslims members of the area said that the Chatai Wali mosque is a 27-year-old structure and is also used as Madrassa.

Adjacent to the mosque, there is a vacant space which Hindus use annually during Durga Poojas and other celebrations.

This year, Hindus members made a permanent podium and a havan kund on the ground, citing that devotees face difficulty in offering prayers due to water-logging.

On Thursday night, Hindus performed pooja at the havan kund. On Friday morning, some members of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad started beating drums and a large number of people gathered on the ground alleging Muslims had vandalised the havan kund at night.

Abhinandan, Circle Officer of Noida-1, said, “We deployed around 150 police personnel in the area for peaceful passage of Friday prayers. We will be keeping a close watch in the area to ensure no anti-social element tries to disturb peace.”

Noida’s city magistrate, Mahendra Singh, said that both the structures are built on Noida Authority land. “We will write a letter and ask Noida Authority to clear illegal encroachment,” Singh said.