Haldwani: Five persons were arrested while cases have been registered against 19 individuals and at least 5000 (unidentified) people in connection with the Haldwani violence in Uttrakhand.
As many as five people were killed and over 300 injured in the violence that broke out in the Banbhoolpura area in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani city on February 8.
The violence had erupted after several establishments, including a mosque and a madrasa, which were ‘illegally constructed’ on government land, were demolished in Banbhoolpura, enraging locals who then pelted stones at police personnel and media persons present there.
The three people, who were seriously injured, are undergoing treatment at Sushil Tiwari Hospital in the city.
DGP Abhinav Kumar said that a loss of Rs 6 crore has been estimated in this violence. To ensure that such incidents do not happen in future, action will be taken against miscreants and rioters by imposing the draconian UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and National Security Act (NSA).
Also, compensation for the loss caused by this violence will be recovered from the rioters, the DGP informed.
Vanbhoolpura area of Haldwani city has been divided into seven zones in which seven magistrates have been deployed. Besides, the additional district magistrate (ADM ) has been given the responsibility of nodal officer.
Meanwhile, there has been no relaxation in the curfew in Vanbhoolpura while the restrictions have been lifted in Haldwani.
Curfew lifted from outer areas of Haldwani
Curfew has been lifted from the outer areas of Haldwani. Still, it remains in force in the Banbhoolpura area that witnessed arson and vandalism by a mob over the demolition of an allegedly illegally built madrasa on February 8.
Shops on the outskirts of the town opened on February 10 but schools remain closed.
“Patrolling is continuously being done in the affected area and the situation is under control,” Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Law and Order, A P Anshuman, who is camping in Haldwani said.
No internet services continue
Internet services continue to be suspended to prevent rumours from spreading through social media platforms.
Residents of the Banbhoolpura area, where the curfew is still in force, are being allowed to buy essentials from time to time, the ADG said.
The movement of trains up to Kathgodam has also been resumed, he said. No fresh untoward incident has been reported from anywhere, the officer added.
(With inputs from agencies)
