Haldwani is currently experiencing communal unrest in the aftermath of the demolition of an allegedly unauthorized madrasa, leading to two casualties and over 100 injuries.
Communal tension escalated in the Banbhoolpura area of Nainital district on Thursday evening as clashes erupted over the removal of an “illegally built” madrasa, according to officials familiar with the situation. The district magistrate promptly enforced a curfew in Banbhoolpura and issued a ‘shoot-at-sight’ order against the rioters.
On Friday morning, Nainital district magistrate Vandana Singh revised the death toll to two, correcting earlier reports of three to four casualties due to confusion. Over 100 people, predominantly comprising police personnel, have sustained injuries in the Banbhoolpura violence. Vandana stated that the curfew in Haldwani aims to restore law and order, accompanied by the suspension of internet services and the closure of schools in the area.
Key developments in the Haldwani communal violence include:
Curfew imposition in Haldwani following reports of residents setting vehicles on fire and pelting stones, resulting in over 100 injuries during the demolition of the “illegally built” madrasa.
Police reported that most of the injured individuals were police officers and municipal workers involved in the madrasa demolition.
Senior superintendent of police Prahlad Meena revealed that a prior notice had been served regarding the illegal construction on government land.
Vandana described the violence outside the Banbhoolpura police station, where individuals reportedly fired weapons, prompting the police to respond with gunfire. The identity of the deceased person is yet to be confirmed.
Vandana asserted that rioters attempted to set fire to the Banbhoolpura police station but were restrained by the police force. The violence subsequently spread to the Gandhi Nagar area.
The DM suggested that the violence seemed “pre-planned and unprovoked,” with evidence of stored stones and the use of petrol bombs.
Vandana assured that the situation is now under control, with violence contained in Banbhoolpura and preventive measures taken to safeguard the main city. Paramilitary forces have been deployed, with additional police from neighboring districts reinforcing law and order efforts.
In response to the situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called a meeting in Dehradun, gathering senior officials to address the unrest. The demolition was reportedly conducted in the presence of municipal commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, city magistrate Richa Singh, and SDM Paritosh Verma.
