Communal tension in Aonla village over mosque renovation

BAREILLY: Communal tension flared up in Aonla area here when Hindus and Muslims came face to face over construction work in a mosque on Thursday evening.

Administrative officials and police teams rushed to the area to ensure law and order.

“Hindus objected to the renovation of a mosque in Dilawar village of Aonla which led to an argument,” said sub divisional magistrate (SDM) of Aonla Pramil Kumar Singh.

The SDM reached the village with the circle officer (CO) of the area and force from Aonla police station.

“The construction work has been stopped till further notice,”

Hindus objected to the renovation of a mosque in Dilawar village of Aonla which led to an argument. The construction work has been stopped till further notice PRAMIL KUMAR SINGH, SDM, Aonla

he said.

The officials have invited representatives of both communities for a meeting at Aonla police station on Sunday. Reportedly, the mosque was being renovated since last month but Hindus alleged that Muslims were trying to add a new building to the existing structure.

When a group of Hindu men opposed construction of the new structure on Thursday afternoon, Muslims countered them, leading to a standoff between both sides.

As per sources, a group of Hindus reached the local police station to register a complaint regarding the matter but the SHO refused to meet them.

Following this they approached the local MP who asked the police and administrative officials to look into the matter.

“Muslim brothers have every right to build a mosque but they should do so as per existing laws. The administrative officials are handling the issue and the matter will be resolved soon,” said Dharmendra Kashyap, MP from Aonla.