Lagatar24 Desk
Ujjain: Violence broke out in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain on Monday after clashes erupted between local residents and an administrative team that had arrived to demolish part of the Shahi Masjid as part of a road-widening project, with police resorting to tear gas after being pelted with stones.
Stone-Pelting Prompts Heavy Security Deployment
As the demolition team moved in with bulldozers, scuffles broke out with people gathered at the site, who pelted stones at police personnel. To bring the situation under control, police fired tear gas shells. The Rapid Action Force and additional police forces have since been deployed at the spot, with movement in the area restricted as a precautionary measure.
Demolition Tied to Simhastha 2028 Road-Widening Plan
The dispute stems from a road-widening project connecting Kanthal Chowraha to Gopal Mandir, undertaken as part of preparations for the Simhastha 2028 event, under which a portion of the Shahi Masjid falls within the project’s path.
High Court Had Earlier Dismissed Pleas Against the Demolition
Petitions seeking a stay on the bulldozer action had been filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, but the court dismissed all such pleas on September 9. Acting on the High Court’s order, the administrative team that arrived at the site on Monday faced strong opposition from local residents.
