Kasumpti residents protest illegal mosque, demand immediate ban on gatherings
Shimla, September 17: Shimla Municipal Corporation Kasumpti councillor Rachna Sharma, along with former deputy mayor Rakesh Sharma and other local representatives, submitted a memorandum to the Shimla Deputy Commissioner (DC), demanding an immediate ban on gatherings at an illegal mosque in the Kasumpti area. The delegation expressed concern over the gathering of people from a particular community, stating that it is creating tension in the local market and may lead to possible unrest.
According to councillor Sharma, the structure in question has been declared illegal by the Shimla Municipal Corporation, and yet, members of the community continue to gather there, disrupting the peace and stability of the area. “The Municipal Corporation has already condemned the illegal construction. However, the gatherings are continuing, affecting the atmosphere of the Kasumpti market,” she said.
Concerns of local residents
Residents of the Kasumpti market area have expressed their concerns about the situation. According to locals, none of the people gathering at the mosque are permanent residents of the area. “There is no information about who these people are, where they are from or where they live. Most of them are not registered and this is causing uneasiness among the residents,” said a representative from the delegation. The lack of clear identification and registration of these people has raised concerns in the community, with many fearing that security issues could arise if the matter is not resolved immediately.
The delegation has warned the administration, police and municipal corporation that the problem could worsen if timely action is not taken. “If the matter is ignored, the authorities will be responsible for any adverse consequences,” the memorandum said.
Dispute over land ownership
In a related development, the Waqf Board has claimed ownership over the land where the mosque is located, further complicating the situation. However, revenue records show that the land is actually owned by the central government, which has been illegally occupied by an organisation. Allegations have surfaced of illegal transfer of possession of this land to an organisation, with the involvement of revenue department officials suspected. The municipal corporation had already declared the mosque structure illegal and issued an order to demolish it.
The issue of land ownership and illegal transfer is now under scrutiny, raising concerns over the role of local authorities in facilitating the possession. The involvement of the revenue department has further added complexity to the situation, raising questions about possible irregularities in the land allotment process.
The Shimla Municipal Corporation’s demolition order is still in place, but tensions continue to mount as the issue remains unresolved. Local authorities are expected to take further action to ensure compliance with legal rulings and maintain peace in the area.
Recent protests by locals
A few days ago, local residents also staged a protest against the illegal structure and demanded its immediate removal, as well as a ban on gatherings at the site. The protests reflect growing frustration among the community, with locals urging the administration to take prompt action. The protesters stressed that illegal constructions and irregular gatherings are a threat to the peace and security of the area, adding to the gravity of the matter.
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