A Wave of Migration: 500 Families Flee Homes Following Violence in Haldwani on February 15, 2024
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Feb. Many families have left their homes and moved to other cities after the violence in Banbhulpura and Haldwani in Uttarakhand. Despite the curfew in Vanbhulpura, 500 houses remain locked. People from the area have moved to other districts with their entire families. Several of the people identified by the police in the Haldwani violence case are now absconding. Police teams have been sent to other districts in order to arrest such people. Moreover, a massive search operation has been initiated in the presence of central forces. As per the information provided, four days following the violence in Banbhulpura of Haldwani district, Muslim families have begun migrating to safer areas outside the district. More than 500 families have departed from the city. Numerous families were observed traversing the streets on foot, carrying their belongings. Following the disturbance, individuals have begun to evacuate numerous areas of Banbhulpura, including Master’s Garden, Indira Nagar, Choti Line, and Badi Line, enclosing their dwellings. People, including women and children, have fled to other districts in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The sequence is still ongoing.
At present, a curfew has been imposed in the vicinity, resulting in the closure of vehicular movement.
It is noteworthy that a significant loss of municipal and government property was sustained during stone pelting and arson incidents against the administration and police team who were tasked with removing encroachment in the Banbhulpura area on February 8. After assessing this, the Municipal Corporation has issued a recovery notice to the main accused Abdul Malik in order to compensate for the losses. The Municipal Corporation has requested that the accused pay a compensation amount of Rs 2.45 crore by February 15. A warning has been issued regarding the possibility of legal action in the event of any breach of the deadline.
BIG ⚡️Police station will be built at the disputed site in Banbhoolpura, where violence erupted during an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani- Uttrakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami pic.twitter.com/a3atd2yNJ6
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 12, 2024
30 people were arrested
In view of the violence that followed the demolition drive by the administration on the alleged illegal mosque and madrasa in Banbhulpura, a search operation was conducted in the area. Police have thus far detained 30 individuals in the matter, and numerous individuals are still under surveillance. The police of Uttarakhand have also recovered numerous weapons from the possession of the individuals who were detained. Various sections have been registered against the miscreants, including rioting, robbery, damaging government property, and murder. The SSP said that a case was registered against about 5000 people. All individuals who have been accused of being involved in the violence are currently subjected to searches.
The curfew has been relaxed; however, there are still restrictions in place in Banbhulpura.
The administration has now relaxed the curfew in many parts of Haldwani, but the Banbhulpura area of the district is still under severe curfew. People have been instructed to stay indoors. A warning has been issued regarding the enactment of sanctions against individuals who transgress the law. Internet services have been restored in many parts of Haldwani, with the exception of areas where curfew is still in place.
बनभूलपुरा, हल्द्वानी में जिस जगह से अवैध अतिक्रमण हटाया गया वहां पर अब पुलिस थाने का निर्माण किया जाएगा।
उपद्रवियों और दंगाइयों के लिए हमारी सरकार का यह स्पष्ट संदेश है कि देवभूमि की शांति से खिलवाड़ करने वाले किसी भी व्यक्ति को छोड़ा नहीं जाएगा, ऐसे उपद्रियों के लिए उत्तराखण्ड… pic.twitter.com/kUQsHCCpeq
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) February 12, 2024
Banbhulpura’s entry-exit is sealed off
Muslims are fleeing their homes due to the tense situation, but the administration has sealed all entry and exit points to Banbhulpura. From here, no one is allowed to go outside or inside. According to sources, the police have made the decision to seal the area due to the suspicion that those involved in large-scale violence may also flee.
It was decided that the mosque should be demolished in a hurry
A delegation from Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind visited Haldwani and held a meeting with the SDM, during which they also conversed with the administration. The meeting lasted for a duration exceeding an hour. After convening a meeting with the SDM, Abdul Raziq, the General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, stated that the administration had made a hasty decision to demolish the mosque, resulting in a sense of tension in the vicinity. The organization’s General Secretary stated that we have come here to appeal for peace in the area. We have requested the SDM to ensure that no action is taken against innocent people.
This occurred because the demolition campaign was launched suddenly. The administration should have waited for court orders.
A tough stance from CM Dhami
In this matter, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has clarified that the authorities are continuing to pursue the criminals and unruly individuals involved in the incident in Haldwani. The rioters will be arrested one by one. As per the law, appropriate measures will be taken against them. CM Dhami has informed that the places in the state which are under illegal occupation, definite measures will be taken against any incursions within the territory. This campaign shall not be halted. The police administration will take strict action against the rioters.
