Dhar (MP): About 100 Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) activists, including 40 women, were arrested on February 18 amid heavy stone-pelting, as police foiled their plan to enter the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Moula mosque premises.

A large number of people had gathered near the disputed site on February 18 morning, following the HJM and Swadeshi Jagran Manch plan to enter the Bhojshala at 12.39 pm (IST), but were prevented from doing so by the police, police said.

Agitated activists pelted stones at the police prompting them to fire teargas shells, they said.

Special Task Force (STF) personnel were deployed in large numbers in and around the Bhojshala with barricades erected at all entry points.

The city, where prohibitory orders had been clamped in view of the HJM threat, wore a deserted look as most of the business establishments remained closed due to the tension prevailing in the area. Schools and colleges also did not function.

The situation is tense but under control, police said.

PTI