Ujjain: The removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid at Chhatri Chowk in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, continued for the second day on Tuesday amid tight security, with a heavy police deployment and senior administrative officials monitoring the situation following the previous day’s stone-pelting incident.
Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers around the site as a precautionary measure, while nearby markets remained closed. Regular flag marches were also conducted in the area to maintain law and order.
Ujjain Collector Raushan Kumar Singh, who was present at the spot, said the situation remained peaceful and under control. “Peace and security are fully maintained here, and the law and order situation is completely under control. We are present at the spot and closely monitoring the situation,” Singh told IANS.
The portion of the mosque being removed falls within the alignment of a road being widened as part of preparations for Simhastha 2028.
According to the district administration, members of the Muslim community had agreed to voluntarily remove the affected portion following a meeting held on Sunday night between senior administrative and police officials and community representatives.
The removal work began on Monday in the presence of administrative and police officials. However, it was briefly disrupted after a crowd gathered at the site and stones were allegedly pelted at police personnel deployed there.
Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and subsequently strengthened security around Chhatri Chowk. Senior officers remained at the spot to supervise the work and maintain law and order.
Eight FIRs have been registered at Mahakal, Kharakuwa and Kotwali police stations in connection with the stone-pelting incidents, naming 20 people as accused.
Police said all those named in the cases related to stone-pelting had been arrested. Police have also registered an FIR under Sections 196(1), 299, 353(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita over the alleged circulation of misleading messages and videos on social media.
According to police, Imran Khan had posted a message on Instagram on September 27, urging people to gather at Chhatri Chowk. In another video circulated through an Instagram account, a person identified as Arif Pathan allegedly asked people to assemble near the mosque at 2 a.m.
The road-widening project is aimed at improving connectivity and facilitating the movement of pilgrims and religious processions through congested areas of Ujjain ahead of Simhastha 2028. “We appeal to everyone to continue extending cooperation, maintain peace and refrain from believing or spreading rumours. The situation is being closely monitored,” Raushan Kumar Singh said.
(IANS)
