After weeks of standoff between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and a section of Mehrauli’s Muslim population over offering Friday prayers inside protected monuments in the area, police personnel, along with BSF and ITBP forces, managed to keep the crowds from entering the mosques unlawfully.

With Home Minister P Chidambaram making it clear last week that prayers would not be allowed inside protected monuments, the crowd has decreased in strength over the weeks, an ASI official said. Minor skirmishes were reported at the entrances of Mandi Mosque, Rajaon ki Baoli and Jamali Kamali in Mehrauli, but the forces successfully kept the crowds out.

Meanwhile, around 50 people were allowed to say prayers at Masjid-e-Qutab Minar, where prayers were being offered for the past few months.