Haldwani communal violence: 4 dead, over 100 injured, schools closed, internet off
Haldwani was engulfed in communal unrest on Thursday evening following clashes stemming from the demolition of a madrasa deemed to be constructed unlawfully.
The Haldwani region in Nainital district witnessed heightened communal tensions on Thursday evening as clashes erupted in Banbhoolpura following the demolition of a madrasa deemed to be constructed unlawfully, according to officials with knowledge of the situation. The district magistrate has enforced a curfew in Banbhoolpura, with authorities issuing a ‘shoot-on-sight’ directive against rioters.
Vandana, the district magistrate of Nainital, reported that three to four fatalities and over 100 injuries, mostly among police personnel, have occurred in the violence in Banbhoolpura thus far. Vandana stated that the curfew in Haldwani has been implemented to uphold law and order, with internet services suspended in the city. Additionally, an order to close schools in the area has been issued.
Key updates on Haldwani communal violence:
Following reports of residents setting vehicles ablaze and pelting stones, causing injuries to at least 100 individuals, a curfew was enforced in Haldwani due to the demolition of a madrasa deemed to be constructed unlawfully.
The majority of those injured and subsequently hospitalized after the unrest in Banbhoolpura were identified by police as being primarily police personnel and municipal workers engaged in the demolition of a nearby madrasa.
Prahlad Meena, the senior superintendent of police, mentioned that a prior notice had been issued regarding the illegal construction of the madrasa on government property.
Vandana, the district magistrate of Nainital, addressed the violence near the Banbhoolpura police station, stating that individuals reportedly discharged firearms (the legality of which is under investigation). “In response, law enforcement fired warning shots. Three to four individuals, suffering from gunshot wounds, were pronounced dead upon arrival at hospitals. The identification of the deceased is underway. We must await further investigation to determine whether they were killed by police gunfire or by shots fired by individuals among them,” the DM stated.
Vandana asserted that the rioters attempted to set fire to the Banbhoolpura police station. “Our officers were stationed there when this occurred. Despite the attackers’ efforts, law enforcement successfully prevented their entry into the station. Subsequently, the violence extended to the Gandhi Nagar vicinity adjacent to Banbhoolpura,” she remarked.
The district magistrate stated that the violence seemed to have been “premeditated and without instigation” and mentioned that “stones had been stockpiled in residences beforehand.” She also noted, “The rioters even deployed Molotov cocktails.”
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. “Paramilitary forces have also been deployed in the area and more are on their way. Additional police force from the neighbouring districts has also been deployed in the city to maintain law and order,” she said.
CM Dhami calls meeting
In the capital city of Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a gathering of high-ranking officials. According to SSP Meena, the demolition took place with the attendance of Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, City Magistrate Richa Singh, and SDM Paritosh Verma.
A residential school in Kasauli and the 113-year-old Kalka-Shimla Mountain Railway were affected by the forest fires that continue to Read more
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) consolidated its position as the premier national party of Indian politics in 2016, breaking new Read more
NEW DELHI: Over 16 crore people will vote in this year's assembly elections in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Read more
The appearance of monsoon — set apart by outrageous and awkward precipitation in June — has overflowed significant waterways like Read more
