New Delhi: A situation of tension arose in Haldwani in Uttarakhand on Thursday, 8 February. Violence broke out after the administration’s bulldozer action on the Madrasa and Mosque located in Malika Bagicha in Banbhulpura area of Haldwani. This madrasa and mosque were allegedly built on Nazul land.
The mob set many vehicles on fire while there are reports of stone pelting on policemen and tax administration officials. DM of Nainital has imposed curfew in Banbhulpura. An order has also been given to keep all schools closed in Haldwani on 9th February.
Curfew order issued in the area.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami chairs a high-level meeting with officials to review the current situation in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani.
Dehradun: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami chairs a high-level meeting with officials to review the current situation in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani. He has ordered to take strict action against the rioters and miscreants involved in the violence that took place. pic.twitter.com/4syNs0zrmn
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2024
What did Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami say on the Haldwani Violence?
“An administration team had gone to the Banbhulpura area of Haldwani for an anti-encroachment operation following the court order. Anti-social elements beat up the police there. Some policemen and administrative officials were injured. Additional companies of police and central forces were there. “Are being sent. We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace. Curfew is in place. Strict action will be taken against the rioters and encroachers who indulge in arson.”
Why and how did violence erupt in Haldwani?
DGP Abhinav Kumar told news agency ANI, “Today at around 4 pm, a joint team of district administration and police was conducting an anti-encroachment campaign in Banbhulpura, Haldwani on the orders of the court, protesting against which some anti-social elements resorted to stone pelting and arson. It is also being said that firing was done on the police with illegal weapons… DIG Kumaon immediately reached the spot and additional police force was also called there. The state government has also demanded additional police force from the Home Ministry.
Police Headquarters spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharane told ANI that 4 companies of paramilitary forces have been sent to the violence-affected area of Haldwani. IG told that 2 PAC companies from Udham Singh Nagar have reached Haldwani.
DM Nainital while talking to the media on haldwani violence:
“We decided to continue the demolition drive because there was no stay on the assets. A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too. Our teams and resources moved and nobody was provoked or harmed…No actions were taken (by Police and administration) to cause harm to life and property. The demolition drive began peacefully. Despite the entire process being carried out properly, a large mob, within half an hour attacked our municipal cooperation team.”
#WATCH | Haldwani violence | DM Nainital, Vandana Singh says, "We decided to continue the demolition drive because there was no stay on the assets...A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too...Our teams and… pic.twitter.com/awzbxlyqHt
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2024
Nainital District Administration has informed that, ‘Haldwani violence | Internet services suspended after violence in Banbhoolpura of Haldwani in which so far 4 people have died and more than 100 policemen were injured. The administration has also ordered the closure of all schools and colleges.