After Haldwani violence, Uttarakhand to table Bill to pay for damages caused by 'rioters'

NewsBharati 26-Feb-2024 13:22:20 PM

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Dehradun, Feb 26: In a significant development, the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government in Uttarakhand had decided to introduce a Bill for the recovery of the cost of any damage incurred to public or private property during protests from those responsible for the disturbances. This comes after the violence was unleashed by a radical mob in Haldwani.

It is pertinent to mention that the Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill is likely to be introduced in the state Assembly during the Budget session that starts on Monday.

The Yogi Adityanath govt in UP passed a similar bill in 2020. Haryana also followed suit and Uttarakhand will be the third state to enact such a law.

Also Read: "They wanted to burn us alive": Injured woman police officer narrates how she escaped terrifying Haldwani violence

Under the proposed law, individuals causing harm during protests or strikes would be “financially responsible for the losses”. A tribunal, to be led by a former judge, will determine compensation amounts and issue recovery notices

⚡️⚡️Uttarakhand government to bring 'Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill' to control the miscreants who damage government and private property in the name of protests, in the budget session starting from February 26.

Under this bill, the losses incurred… pic.twitter.com/zf4EOSyYMV
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 26, 2024

The move follows the violence in Nainital district’s Haldwani on February 8, which was triggered by an anti-encroachment drive that led to the demolition of a mosque and a madrasa in the Banbhoolpura area. Apart from Haldwani, Dehradun and Haridwar districts have also seen violent protests against anti-encroachment measures in the last few years.

Also Read: 6 ‘rioters’ killed in Haldwani violence, CM Dhami says it's a 'planned attack'

Angered by the demolition of the structures, which authorities said stood on government land, people resorted to pelting stones and burning cars, and the local police station was surrounded by a mob. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami had later announced that the cost of damaged property would be recovered by those involved in the violence.

The district administration also attached the property of several accused. Notably, Abdul Malik, the mastermind of the Haldwani violence on Feb 8, was arrested in Delhi on Saturday. This came after the district administration began seizing his assets to recover Rs 2.4 crore for damages to public property.