6 ‘rioters’ killed in Haldwani violence, CM Dhami says it's a 'planned attack'
Total Views | 145
Haldwani, Feb 10: Six "rioters" were killed in the Haldwani violence that broke out over the demolition of an "illegally built" madrasa, officials said. More than 100 have been injured in the riots that unleashed a terror-like situation in the town. According to Nainital District Magistrate, Vandana Singh it was a planned attack and provided evidence about the attack.
Seven people, including a journalist, were under treatment Friday at three different hospitals. Three of them were said to be in a serious condition. Others had been discharged. Altogether, six rioters were killed, superintendent of police (City) Harbans Singh told PTI.
Earlier, Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh termed the incident as unfortunate and assured that the accused will be identified and strict action will be taken against them. "This was an effort to challenge the state machinery, state govt and the law and order situation," she said.
Refuting claims of the property being a Madrasa, the DM specified that it was an empty property. "It is an empty property that has two structures, which are not registered as religious structure or has been given any such recognition. Some call the structure a Madrasa," she said.
"You can see (in the video) that the police force and the administration are not provoking or harming anybody," she added.
The DM said, after the HC's order, action has been taken against encroachment at various places. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted at a particular asset. "After the HC's order action has been taken against encroachment at various places in Haldwani...Everyone was given notice and time for hearing...Some did approach the HC some were given time while some were not given time. Where time was not given demolition drive was conducted by PWD & Municipal Corporation. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted to a particular asset," she said.
"We decided to continue the demolition drive because there was no stay on the assets...A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too...Our teams and resources moved and nobody was provoked or harmed...No actions were taken (by Police and administration) to cause harm to life and property...The demolition drive began peacefully...Despite the entire process being carried out properly, a large mob, within half an hour attacked our municipal cooperation team," she said.
Authorities have arrested five people and named 19 people in three FIRs registered against 19 named persons and a total of 5,000 unidentified people, in the February 8 violence that broke out after an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area.
6 'rioters' killed in Haldwani violence
Seven people, including a journalist, were under treatment Friday at three different hospitals. Three of them were said to be in a serious condition. Others had been discharged. Altogether, six rioters were killed, superintendent of police (City) Harbans Singh told PTI.
Attack on the forces was planned: CM Dhami
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Haldwani, meeting some of the injured. He termed the violence a 'planned attack', and said the stockpiling of arms, stones and petrol bombs suggested this. "Our women police personnel were brutally thrashed. They even tried to throw a journalist into the flames. It was an attempt to disrupt the atmosphere of social amity and peace for which Uttarakhand is known," he told reporters.
#WATCH | Haldwani violence | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami arrives at Haldwani and takes stock of the situation. pic.twitter.com/R4CWEIf1px
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 9, 2024
Refuting claims of the property being a Madrasa, the DM specified that it was an empty property. "It is an empty property that has two structures, which are not registered as religious structure or has been given any such recognition. Some call the structure a Madrasa," she said.
Also Read: "They wanted to burn us alive": Injured woman police officer narrates how she escaped terrifying Haldwani violence
The DM said the demolition drive started peacefully but stones were pelted on the Municipal Corporation's team. "The demolition drive started peacefully, the force was deployed for prevention...Stones were pelted on our Municipal Corporation's team...It was planned that the day the demolition drive will be conducted the forces would be attacked...The first mob with stones were dispersed & the second mob that came in had petrol bombs. This was unprovoked and our team did not use any force..." she said.
DM Nainital Vandana Singh's statement on Haldwani Violence :
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) February 9, 2024
Police station in Nainital was damaged by a mob
Accused will be identified & face strict action.
The attack was to challenge the state machinery & target the law & order situation pic.twitter.com/hwVtDCpcaV
"You can see (in the video) that the police force and the administration are not provoking or harming anybody," she added.
The DM said, after the HC's order, action has been taken against encroachment at various places. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted at a particular asset. "After the HC's order action has been taken against encroachment at various places in Haldwani...Everyone was given notice and time for hearing...Some did approach the HC some were given time while some were not given time. Where time was not given demolition drive was conducted by PWD & Municipal Corporation. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted to a particular asset," she said.
Also Read: Uttarakhand bleeds! 4 killed, 100 injured as radical mob turns violent after 'illegal' madrasa demolished in Haldwani
Authorities have arrested five people and named 19 people in three FIRs registered against 19 named persons and a total of 5,000 unidentified people, in the February 8 violence that broke out after an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area.
Bharati Web
Related News
