Muslims again targetted in Dharchula

B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh,  Feb 25                                  The Hindutva groups again targetted the miniscule Muslim community in Dharchula. This time they targetted a place of worship which Muslims had been using to offer prayers aince 1985. The Hindu groups have submitted a memorandum to the Dharchula SDM charging that Muslims are trying to construct an Idgah at the place asking for i t’s immediate removal from near a Hindu temple.
“We have today submitted a memorandum to Tehsildar of Dharchula and said that the land belongs to state government and if the said structure will be allowed, we will oppose it and start recital of Hanuman chalisa there,” said Mahesh Garbiyal, leader of delegation that met to administration.
According to Garbiyal, the Idgah is being permitted near Mashani Devi temple on government land.”The community has in past made a mosque at that government land, that was removed by administration, but some people are trying to reconstruct that,” said Garbiyal.
Dilshad Ahmed, president of Seemant Muslim Kalyan Samudai, said that his community is not constructing any structure at that place.”We are offering Namaz at that place since 1985, ” claimed Dilshad Ahmed.
Shashi Thapa, president of Nagar Palika Parishad, Dharchula, said she has no  information of any such construction on that land.”Some people might be publicing it from communal angle, after the company that constructed embankment at Kali river, started removing debris of the construction from that land due to it being government land, “said Shashi Thapa.
Daman Rana, naib tehsildar of Dharchula, who had received the memorandum on behalf of Dharchula administration, has said that some people have complained yesterday that the efforts are being made by some people to construct Idgah at that place.”We have taken fact check of the spot, there is no such efforts, we will not allow any construction in that place as it is government land,” said the Dharchula Naib Tehsildar.
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