The incident has raised concerns about communal tensions in the region. Authorities have deployed additional police forces to restore order.”We will continue our peaceful protests until our demands are met,” Bharti vowed.Uttarkashi District Magistrate Dr Mehrban Singh Bisht clarified the legitimacy of the mosque’s land ownership, stating, “The land occupied by the mosque has a valid registration and mutation record, with ten account holders listed. Furthermore, the Tehsildar of Bhatwari officially acknowledged the mosque’s presence on the same land in a 2005 order, providing additional legal recognition.”Uttarkashi Police Superintendent Amit Srivastava explained the unrest to TNIE over the phone, saying, “The controversy erupted when rally organizers deviated from the designated route and attempted to take a different path. When stopped, protesters resorted to stone-pelting, prompting police to use mild force in response.”Ishitiyaq Ahmed, a Uttarkashi resident, reaffirmed the Barahahat Mosque’s lawful status, saying, “Registered under the Uttar Pradesh Muslim Waqf Act on May 20, 1987, and listed in the Sunni Waqf schedule, the mosque and its land are fully authorized and legitimate.”
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