Nerwa, September 19: The Sanjauli mosque dispute sparked a massive protest rally in Nerwa on Wednesday, with locals demanding immediate action against illegal encroachments and verification of migrants in the area. The protest was part of a massive protest being held in various cities of Himachal Pradesh, including Shimla, Solan, Mandi and Palampur, over illegal constructions and rising tension in the state.
The protest, led by Karni Sena president Mukesh Khuranta, saw participants marching through the Nerwa market, raising slogans and demanding action. Khuranta stressed the need for a peaceful protest and urged the entire Hindu community to join in large numbers and show their solidarity. “Today’s rally is to express our growing anger over the administration’s inaction. He said that we demand quick and effective action on illegal encroachments that have plagued our area.
The locals raised serious concerns over migrants allegedly encroaching on forest and Public Works Department (PWD) land and living there illegally. They demanded immediate verification of these migrants and evacuation of illegally occupied land. BJP leader Amit Chauhan supported these demands, saying, “This is not just a local issue; it is a state-wide problem. We are not against migrants, but there should be proper verification. Illegal occupation of government land cannot be tolerated and the administration must take immediate action.”
Chauhan further elaborated on the issue of encroachment and said that it is not limited to the Sanjauli Masjid area. He said, “There are reports of migrants living on encroached land in Nerwa and Chaupal areas and the government is aware of it. Forest and PWD lands have been encroached without any action from the authorities. We are standing here because we want our land back and ensure that the law is followed.”
The encroachment issue has also caused significant disruption to the daily lives of residents. The Nerwa market has become a hotspot for illegal vendors, resulting in frequent traffic jams. The protesters accused these vendors of adding to the chaos and creating unbearable conditions in the market. “The market is overcrowded due to illegal vendors, and the authorities have done nothing about it. We demand immediate removal of these vendors and restoration of order,” said one of the protesters.
The protesters warned that if action is not taken in time, the situation could worsen. “The administration has been suppressing these complaints for years. We are now on the verge of collapse,” warned another protester.
Further escalating their demands, protesters like Sahil, a local resident, expressed concern over migrants allegedly using fake Aadhaar cards to settle in nearby areas like Gumma in Kotkhai and potentially in Nerwa. “Fake Aadhaar cards are being used by migrants to stay illegally. This is a matter of national security and we are urging the administration to conduct a thorough police verification of all migrants in the area,” Sahil said.
Besides, there were also allegations of fake voter registration in the Nerwa area. “We are demanding an immediate review of voter registration. There are many cases of fake voters being added to the voter list and this needs to be looked into to ensure fair elections,” the protesters claimed.
The protesters claimed that despite repeated complaints, the administration, along with the forest department and the PWD, failed to act on the issue. Even though the municipal corporation has declared some mosques illegal, no action has been taken to demolish them or correct the encroachment, further eroding people’s trust in the authorities.
Expressing concern, the protesters said, “Despite knowing about these illegal constructions for over a decade, the administration has failed to take any concrete steps. This raises serious questions on the intent and integrity of those responsible for upholding the law.”
The protesters sent a stern warning to the administration and demanded immediate and decisive action. They demanded the removal of illegal constructions, verification of migrants and action against those who allowed the encroachment. The protesters said, “We will not sit quiet as long as the illegal activities continue. If the government does not take any action, we will launch a statewide protest. This is just the beginning.”
With protests spreading to other towns in Himachal Pradesh, the Nerwa rally underscores growing unrest among locals who feel their concerns have been ignored. Pressure is now mounting on the administration to act swiftly on the mosque dispute and the wider issue of illegal encroachment, or else the protests could grow even more.
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