At last, the violence in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, has subsided, leaving hundreds injured and multiple casualties. The Uttarakhand government’s demolition of an “illegal structure as part of an anti-encroachment drive” sparked arguments last week in the Banbhoolpura police station area of Haldwani.
On Saturday, the Nainital Police lifted the curfew in that region. However, the Gaujajali, FSI, Godown area will continue to enforce a night curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. As per the recent directive from Nainital Police, the night curfew would remain in effect in the remaining regions within the jurisdiction of Banbhoolpura police station from 5 pm to 6 am.
District Magistrate Vandana Singh has emerged as a hero in defusing tension amidst the entire situation at Haldwani’s unparalleled communal violence. On the other hand, some have also criticized her choice to demolish the ‘illegally’ built madarsa in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani.
On Saturday #ArrestVandanaSingh trended on the X platfrom. A user wrote in Hindi, “Nainital DM Vandana Singh Chauhan should be arrested as soon as possible…!! After all, what happened that the 20-year-old Mariam Masjid was demolished considering it illegal …?????”
Demanding the arrest of Nainital DM Vandana Singh
Another user wrote, “Nainital DM Vandana Singh Chauhan should be arrested. What kind of trouble has happened that the 20-year-old Mariam Masjid has been demolished on the grounds that it was illegal?”
While she was criticized by many, few came to her rescue and defended her action. “The DM has done very good work there and a similar administrator is needed who can free Haldwani from people living illegally,” wrote a user on the X platfrom.
