Shahi Masjid Committee removing affected portion, 'complete calm' at site: Ujjain Collector
Ujjain District Collector reports calm at Shahi Masjid as the committee voluntarily removes a portion for road widening. Read the full update here.
The situation at the Shahi Masjid site in Ujjain has returned to a state of complete calm following a period of intense tension. According to Ujjain District Collector Roshan Kumar Singh, the members of the Shahi Masjid Committee have taken the initiative to voluntarily remove the portion of the structure impacted by the ongoing road-widening project.
Security Intensified After Previous Clashes
The current atmosphere of peace follows a volatile situation on Monday, where clashes erupted between the police and a crowd. The confrontation, which involved incidents of stone pelting, necessitated the use of tear gas shells and baton charges by the police to disperse the gathering. To prevent further unrest, security has been significantly bolstered:
- Heavy Deployment: More than 2,500 police personnel and officers are stationed across the city.
- Special Forces: Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed to maintain order.
- Visible Presence: Police conducted mounted marches in the area to ensure stability.
- Site Protection: Iron scaffolding has been erected around the mosque, and local shops were cleared under strict police supervision.
Collector Singh noted that while the site is currently peaceful, the administration is taking the strictest possible action against individuals who attempted to create an unpleasant situation during the previous unrest.
High Court Settlement: The 3-Foot Compromise
The dispute, which had reached the Madhya Pradesh High Court, has reached a resolution through a compromise between the Shahi Masjid Committee and the state administration. The division bench, comprising Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jaykumar Pillai, has disposed of the petition following this agreement.
Advocate Kuldeep Pathak, representing the Shahi Masjid Committee, detailed the terms of the settlement that ended the legal battle:
- Reduced Demolition: While the administration had initially requested 9.5 feet of space, the committee has agreed to clear a three-foot portion of the encroachment.
- Minaret Relocation: The administration has agreed to shift the minaret to a different location within the mosque complex.
- Shopholder Support: For the shops being removed, the administration will provide compensation according to standard acquisition norms and offer extra Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) as part of alternative arrangements.
Road Widening for Simhastha Kumbh
The road-widening project is a critical component of the preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh. District Collector Singh emphasized that the voluntary cooperation of religious groups and the community is a positive sign for the project's progress. He has urged citizens to ignore rumors and misinformation, reiterating that the work is being carried out through mutual understanding and legal settlement.