M'luru: Discovery of temple at mosque - Police security tightened around the site

Mangaluru: Police have increased security around the mosque at Malali in Ganjimata after a temple-like structure was discovered during its renovation.

Mangaluru police commissioner N Shashi Kumar said that the Deputy Commissioner has ordered the stay of the renovation work. The work has been halted until the inquiry is complete and further orders are issued, he added.

When the old mosque structure of the Assayid Abdulahil Madani Juma Masjid was being demolished, a wooden structure resembling a temple was observed. Talks have been held with the mosque authorities for halting the work. Tahsildar has also held talks with the parties involved and assured to sort out the issue in an amicable manner.

The people of the locality have been living peacefully, and have agreed to follow the findings of the investigations. In these circumstances, the DC has ordered the stoppage of renovation work for a week, Shashi Kumar said.

The Compol said that security has been tightened around the structure to prevent any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, the Third Additional Civil Court and JMFC Court in Mangaluru has issued a temporary stay to the construction works at the mosque site until the next hearing of the case. The stay was granted based on a private petition filed by Dhananjay. The next hearing on the case has been scheduled for June 3, 2022.

At the same time, Vishva Hindu Parishad has urged for a probe by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Welcoming the court’s order, VHP Leader Sharan Pumpwell said that the truth will be revealed only after a thorough probe by ASI.

The Ganjimata Gram Panchayat has also served notice to the mosque administration to halt all works.