Violent Consequences: 5 Dead in Uttarakhand Madrasa Demolition Clash, Case Against 5,000
GG News Bureau
Haldwani, 10th Feb. Tensions escalated in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani as clashes broke out following the demolition of an illegal madrasa, resulting in five fatalities.
The demolitions, conducted with heavy police presence on Thursday, was to clear government land reportedly encroached upon by the madrasa. Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena confirmed that the action was in compliance with a court order.
Authorities faced resistance as stones were hurled from rooftops, leading to confrontations where tear gas was deployed in response. Over 100 security personnel sustained injuries, alongside administration officials, municipal workers, and journalists caught in the clashes.
The violence intensified as vehicles near the police station were set ablaze. Approximately 50 individuals have been detained, with a case filed against 5,000 unidentified suspects.
Uttarakhand’s police chief, Abhinav Kumar, vowed to invoke the National Security Act against those implicated in assaulting law enforcement.
While Friday and Saturday remained relatively calm, curfew persisted in Banbhoolpura, where the madrasa stood. Additional police forces numbering over 1,000 have been deployed, with patrolling underway to maintain order.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami denounced the violence as a “planned attack,” alleging the stockpiling of weapons by rioters. He condemned the assault on women police personnel and attempts to harm journalists, vowing to uphold Uttarakhand’s reputation for social harmony and peace.
