Uttarkashi Masjid Controversy: The mosque dispute in Uttarkashi took a violent turn on Thursday, creating a tense atmosphere in the city. When a clash broke out between the police and the protesters during a rally called by the Joint Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Dal. During this, 27 people including eight police personnel were injured in incidents of stone pelting and lathi charge. In view of the tension, Section 163 of the BNS has been imposed. 

Giving information about this, SP Uttarkashi Amit Srivastava said that the administration had given permission for the rally of the United Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Dal on Thursday. Their route and time were also fixed. But, they were adamant on going from the fixed route to another route. When the police tried to stop them, some protesters started pelting stones, after which the police used mild force and dispersed the crowd. 

He said that during this clash 8 policemen were injured, two of them were seriously injured. Actually, on Thursday a big rally was called by Hindu organizations against the mosque. During this a large number of people gathered at Hanuman Chowk. The protesters wanted to march towards the mosque, but the police had already barricaded Vishwanath Tiraha on Bhatwadi Road so that the rally could not reach the mosque. 

Tension in the area after police lathicharge
, after which tension increased between both the sides and pushing and shoving started, after which police lathicharged to disperse the crowd. Angry protesters pelted stones at the police. In this clash, many people from both the police and protestor sides were injured. The officials tried to control the situation, but the protesters refused to listen to the police.

After the lathicharge, the crowd of protesters dispersed and some people reached the Collectorate, where they raised slogans against the district administration. Later, the protesters spread to the market in small groups and started targeting the shops of traders from other communities. During this time there was chaos in the market and the traders started closing their shops.

Section 163 of BNS imposed in the area
. Immediate action was taken by the police and administration to control the situation. DM Dr. Meherban Singh Bisht imposed Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) in the district from late evening till further orders. Under this, gathering of five or more persons in the district has been banned. Apart from this, meetings, processions, demonstrations, and the use of loudspeakers have also been prohibited. Legal action has been warned against violation of Section 163. 

After the incident, the police has appealed to the participants of the rally to maintain peace and follow the law and order. Despite this, the atmosphere in the city remains tense and normal activities in the markets have been affected. Hindu organizations have called for a bandh today in protest against the lathicharge by the police. During this time, shops remained closed since morning. Due to which it has become difficult for the passengers to even get water. The police and administration are keeping a close watch on the situation and are ready to prevent any untoward incident. 

Such violence and tension is not unexpected in Uttarkashi, but the administration and police hope that the situation will return to normal soon. Security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas and the situation is being regularly monitored.