Shimla Beopar Mandal organized a bandh from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday in protest against the police force used on Hindu demonstrators during a march the previous day. Shops across the city and nearby areas were shut during this time, and traders marched from Lower Bazar to the District Collector’s office.
Protester Vinod Lakhanpal stated, “We are protesting against the lathi charge used on our brothers yesterday during their march to Sanjauli. It highlights the government’s failure.” Another protester warned that if their demands were not addressed by 1 p.m., further action would be taken.
The protests erupted over alleged illegal mosque construction in Sanjauli. Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh responded, saying the government sympathized with the protesters and wanted to resolve the matter legally. He emphasized that any illegal construction would be dealt with as per the law, but stressed the need to maintain peace in the state.
