Haldwani: 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.
Nainital district magistrate Vandana (who goes by her first name) said three to four people have died and over 100 people, primarily police personnel, have been injured in the Banbhoolpura violence so far. Vandana said the curfew has been imposed in Haldwani to maintain law and order situation. At the same time, internet services have also been suspended in the city, adding that an order to keep schools in the area shut has also been issued.
In the 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.
Vandana claimed that the rioters tried to torch the Banbhoolpura police station. “At that time, our policemen were present at the police station. The police force, however, controlled them and didn’t allow them to enter the police station. The violence then spread to Gandhi Nagar area near Banbhoolpura,” she said.
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. “Paramilitary forces have also been deployed in the area and more are coming. The additional police force from the neighboring districts has also been deployed in the city to maintain law and order,” she said.
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