Residents demand demolition of ‘illegal’ mosque in Kasumpti market, to submit memo to DC

Days after people staged a protest against an unauthorised construction of a mosque in the Sanjauli area of the state’s capital, residents of Kasumpti under the Shimla Municipal Corporation have demanded that the civic body should demolish an allegedly illegal mosque in their market area.

Due to unauthorised construction, inflow of unidentified migrants in the area has increased raising concerns among local residents. Through a memorandum, we will demand that the municipal corporation and the district administration immediately demolish the unauthorised structure. — Rachana Sharma, Councillor, Kasumpti ward

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Residents alleged that a mosque situated in Kasumpti market was illegal and should be immediately demolished. They also decided to submit a memorandum regarding their demand to Municipal Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday.

Rachana Sharma, councillor, Kasumpti ward, said, “Earlier, the structure located in Kasumpti had one floor. It was taken on lease by a Muslim family. In 2012, the building was taken over by the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board. Another storey has been added to the structure and secretly turned into a mosque.”

“Due to unauthorised construction, inflow of unidentified migrants in the area has increased raising concerns among local residents” she said.

“Through the memorandum, we would demand that the municipal corporation and the district administration immediately demolish the unauthorised structure. Besides launching a mass movement, a protest would be staged in the coming days if our demand is not met,” she said.