2 Dead, 250 Injured In Uttarakhand Clashes, Curfew Enforced, Schools Closed
The event, which transpired on Thursday, has placed the city under curfew, with orders to shoot rioters on sight.
Haldwani: Two fatalities and 250 injuries occurred during widespread unrest sparked by the demolition of an illegal madrasa and an adjoining mosque in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani on Thursday. The city has been placed under curfew, with shoot-on-sight orders issued against rioters and complete shutdown of internet services.
Tensions escalated when a team of government officials, accompanied by police, attempted to demolish the structures following a court order. The madrasa and mosque had been deemed illegal by the administration, leading to their removal. However, residents in the Vanbhulpura area of Haldwani vehemently resisted the action.
The clash resulted in injuries to over 50 policemen, with several administration officials, municipal workers, and journalists caught in the turmoil. The unruly crowd hurled stones at the officials, prompting the police to respond with tear gas. The situation intensified as vehicles outside the police station were set ablaze.
The demolitions, carried out under heavy police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) presence, were aimed at clearing government land reportedly encroached upon by the madrasa and the mosque. Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena stated that the demolitions were in compliance with a court order.
However, as the bulldozer razed the structures, enraged residents, including women, took to the streets in protest. Breaking barricades, they clashed with the police, escalating the situation rapidly. Mobs began hurling stones at law enforcement officers, municipal workers, and journalists, resulting in injuries and property damage. More than 20 motorcycles and a security van were set on fire.
“Despite police non-provocation, they were attacked, a police station was vandalized, and rioters attempted to burn police personnel inside the station,” reported Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that a team had been dispatched to the area to carry out the demolition following a court order. Emphasizing that “anti-social elements” in the area had clashed with law enforcement, the Chief Minister announced the deployment of additional police and central forces to restore order. Mr. Dhami appealed to the public to maintain peace amidst the unrest.
Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay asserted that the madrasa and prayer site were illegal, citing previous actions by the Haldwani civic body, which had seized three acres of nearby land and sealed the structures. In a meeting with senior officials, the Chief Minister discussed implementing prohibitory orders and emphasized the need for a shoot-at-sight policy to control escalating unrest against rioters.
As a precautionary measure, a curfew has been enforced throughout Haldwani, leading to the closure of shops and schools in the affected zones. The atmosphere remains tense, prompting the Chief Minister to urge officials to deal decisively with any “anarchic elements.”
Injured individuals are receiving treatment in hospitals, with many sustaining head and facial injuries.
The Uttarakhand High Court held a hearing on Thursday regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to halt the demolition. However, the court did not grant relief, and the demolition operations continued. The case is set for additional deliberation on February 14.
