Ujjain Tense After Mosque Demolition Drive; 10 Booked, 2,500 Police Deployed

Ujjain experienced heightened tension on Monday after protesters and police personnel clashed during a portion of the Shahi Masjid's demolition for a road-widening project. Police reported that stones were thrown at security personnel, causing six officers to suffer injuries. Ten individuals were identified and a first information report (FIR) was registered against them for alleged stone-pelting and disturbing peace.

The incident has prompted the deployment of approximately 2,500 police personnel to maintain order in the city.

Five of the ten individuals named in the FIR are social media influencers, who allegedly spread misinformation and contributed to the disturbance of the peace. Senior police officials revealed that the protesters included women who pelted stones at the police teams deployed to maintain security during the demolition drive. In response, police resorted to using tear gas and a cane charge to disperse the crowd and restore order.

The road project at the center of this dispute involves removing approximately 9 feet in length and 4 feet in width of the mosque, which is claimed by the mosque management to be over 100 years old. The ongoing protests, coupled with the large police presence, present a challenging situation for the administration to manage, ensuring that the road project proceeds within the legal process while maintaining law and order.

A hearing in the matter is scheduled for Monday before the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.