HALDWANI RIOTS

UTTARAKHAND C.M.’S STRONG RESPONSE

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

On February 8, 2024, violent clashes erupted in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following the court-ordered demolition of an unauthorized madrasa and mosque situated in the Banbhoolpura area, predominantly inhabited by Muslims.

A tussle over illegal structure in the Banbhoolpura area snowballed into a full-blown  riot when a state team tried to raze the buildings following a court order. This move was met with fierce resistance from a mob.

Miscreants pelted stones and set a few vehicles on fire in the area. Curfew has been imposed in Haldwani to maintain law and order situation, while internet services have also been suspended in the city. 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.

Authorities claim the violence was “pre-planned and unprovoked” and "stones were stored beforehand at homes". The rioters even used petrol bombs, claim some reports. According to the area DM, the situation is now under control. 

Four people are reportedly dead and over 200 injured in riots triggered by the demolition of an illegal madrasa and a mosque in Uttarakhand's Haldwani. 

Shoot-at-sight orders were issued against rioters after the violence erupted on Thursday. Internet services and schools have been completely shut down.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called a high-level meeting in wake of the tension and issued orders to shoot rioters on sight. The structure in question is Mariyam Masjid in Malik Ka Bageecha locality and a madrasa as they were allegedly on Nazool land. 

Dhami has asked police to  deal strictly with unruly elements. He also appealed to the people to maintain peace.

In the violence, six rioters were killed and more than a hundred, including police personnel and media persons, were injured, according to the police.

Curfew remained in force in Banbhoolpura but was lifted from the outer areas of the town. Shops were still shut and roads deserted in Banbhoolpura.

Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena said the fresh arrests took the total number of people arrested so far to 30. Senior Superintendent of Police, Nainital, constituted six special police teams to arrest the accused

Days after the arrest of Abdul Malik, who police say is the mastermind of the violent protests in Haldwani, the Uttarakhand police arrested his son Abdul Moid — the 84th arrest in connection with the case.

Moid and Malik were named as accused in FIR Number 21/24 registered at Banbhoolpura police station. It was registered on the complaint of station in-charge Neeraj Bhakuni, who alleged that when the demolition process started, the father and son and 14 others led the mob. The FIR alleges that they incited the mob, saying “they will not let the demolition process take place as Banbhoolpura is their area, our rule prevails here and not the government’s”.

However, a letter submitted by a legal representative of Malik to the Uttarakhand DGP and copied to the Nainital DM and SSP contends that Malik was unjustly implicated. Talking to The Indian Express, Malik’s representative said the letter was submitted to the officials by hand. Part of the letter produced below:

February 8, around 12:30 pm, Malik accompanied Tiwari to the residence of a former Rajya Sabha member, BJP’s Balbir Punj, in Noida to deliver an invitation card for Tiwari’s daughter’s wedding. There, Punj presented a book titled Tryst with AYODHYA authored by him, the letter states.

Talking to The Indian Express, BJP’s Punj confirmed that Malik and his son accompanied Tiwari to his residence in Noida on February 8 and stayed there for around 45 minutes, starting around 12.15 pm. He however said that he does not know the whereabouts of Malik before and after the said time.

🚨 Uttarakhand Govt approves ordinance to make rioters pay for damage to Public Property.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand will have India's most stringent anti-rioting laws in the country.

Ordinance will not only ensure the full recovery of damages to private & Govt property but also impose Rs 8 lakh fine.

Additionally, rioters will be held responsible for covering the expenses incurred by the Govt staff for riot control measures.

SOURCE:_

 NEWSPAPERS:-Businesstoday-Dt19/02; HT—05/03; IE—05/03

Image:- Business today.