2 min readGurgaonAug 9, 2013 02:28 AM IST
First published on: Aug 9, 2013 at 02:28 AM IST
The Gurgaon Administration on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC within a 3-km radius around a 2.5-acre plot in Palam Vihar. The decision was taken after a meeting of district officials and police.
The land,used as an open air mosque,has been caught in a dispute between Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and the Haryana Wakf Board. On Eid,hundreds of Muslims were expected to gather here to offer namaz. But,a Hindu group — Samaj Sangarsh Samiti — has threatened that it will not allow namaz to be offered here.
More policemen were deployed at the plot on Thursday. HUDA placed iron sewage pipes at the plot to deter people from gathering there.
Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ashish Vidyarthi told Newsline that no one will be allowed to disturb the law and order situation and police has been given strict orders that if five or more people gather at the plot,they would be arrested.
The Haryana Wakf Board had earlier alleged that the land was taken over from them by HUDA without serving them a notice.
“According to the records,the 2.5-acre land was transferred to HUDA in 2007 and the process of transfer began in 2004. The alleged controversy over the land is between HUDA and the Haryana Wakf Board. This needs to be solved either through the court or mutual agreement. The administration is just making sure that there is no communal disharmony,” Vidhyarthi said.
The Hindu Samaj Sangarsh Samiti spokesperson said since the administration had taken up the issue,they have retracted from their statement of “not allowing Muslims to offer prayer on the land on the occasion of Eid”.
But,the prohibitory orders have left the Wakf Board and Muslims in the area fuming. Naseem Ahmed,Wakf Board administrator,said: “The decision is a bolt from the blue. It has hurt the sentiments of our community. We will approach the administration and the state government.”
The Deputy Commissioner said if a request was made for an alternative venue to offer namaz on Eid,he would certainly look into it.
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