Communal tension gripped the Haldwani area of Nainital district on Thursday evening after violence broke out in Banbhoolpura over the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa, officials familiar with the matter said. The district magistrate of the district has imposed a curfew in Banbhoolpura. A ‘shoot-at-sight’ order has also been issued against the rioters.
Three to four people have died and over 100 people, primarily police personnel, have been injured in the Banbhoolpura violence so far. curfew has been imposed in Haldwani to maintain law and order situation, while internet services have also been suspended in the city, adding that an order to keep schools in the area shut has also been issued.
Updates on Haldwani communal violence:
- Curfew was imposed in Halwani after residents reportedly set vehicles on fire and hurled stones, injuring at least 100 people, over the demolition of an "illegally built" madrasa.
- Police said most of the injured were hospitalised after the violence in the city’s Banbhoolpura area were police personnel and municipal workers involved in the demolition of a local madrasa.
- Senior superintendent of police Prahlad Meena said a notice was served earlier on the madrasa constructed illegally on government land.
- Nainital district magistrate Vandana said at the violence outside the Banbhoolpura police station, some people fired (it is being confirmed whether they were illegal or legal weapons). “In response, the police fired in the air. Three to four people were brought dead at hospitals who had sustained bullet injuries.
- The DM claimed that it appears the violence was “pre-planned and unprovoked” and "stones were stored beforehand at homes". "The rioters even used petrol bombs," she added.
- According to the DM, the situation is now under control. The violence has been controlled in Banbhoolpura and wasn't allowed to be spread to the main city.
हिन्दुओं अगर तुम्हें लगता हैं तुम सुरक्षित हो
तो हल्द्वानी DM साहिबा का ये कथन सुनो 🖐️
वह कहती हैं कि इस्लामवादी हमले के लिए अच्छी तरह से तैयार थे। उन्होंने योजना बनाई थी कि जब पुलिस अवैध कब्जा हटाने आएगी तो उन पर हमला कर देंगे. और हम सबने देखा कि कैसे उन्होंने महिला पुलिस… pic.twitter.com/ZqBlO0fzeU
— Deepak Sharma (@SonOfBharat7) February 9, 2024
CM Dhami calls meeting
In capital Dehradun, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami summoned a meeting of senior officials. SSP Meena said the demolition was carried out in the presence of municipal commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, city magistrate Richa Singh and SDM Paritosh Verma.
HUGE 🚨 Lady cop shares Uttarakhand #Haldwani Horror. She said "They wanted to burn us aIIiive".
She said "We were hiding in a house to save ourselves from MASSIVE stone peIting, 15 people entered the house, assaulted us."
"They even tried to kiII the person giving shelter to… pic.twitter.com/cnSlbkNBZ8
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) February 8, 2024
All Photo : India Today.
