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Haldwani Riots Leave 4 Dead and Over 200 Injured, Internet Suspended and Schools Shut
Violence erupted in Haldwani, a city in Uttarakhand, resulting in four deaths and over 200 injuries. The riots were triggered by the demolition of an illegal madrasa and a mosque in the Banbhoolpura area. The incident started with a tussle over the illegal structure, but quickly escalated when a state team attempted to tear down the buildings following a court order.
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The demolition efforts faced fierce resistance from a mob, leading to clashes and a full-blown riot. Miscreants pelted stones and set vehicles on fire, causing widespread mayhem in the city. To restore law and order, shoot-at-sight orders were issued against the rioters. Authorities have also suspended internet services and closed schools in Haldwani as a precautionary measure.
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The violence has been described as pre-planned and unprovoked, with reports alleging that stones and petrol bombs were prepared in advance. Police have mentioned that most of the injured individuals were either police personnel or municipal workers involved in the demolition of the local madrasa.
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In response to the tense situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called a high-level meeting and instructed police to deal strictly with unruly elements. He also appealed to the public to maintain peace. The disputed structures, Mariyam Masjid in the Malik Ka Bageecha locality and the madrasa, were allegedly built on Nazool land.
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The Nainital District Magistrate, Vandana Singh, shared details about the violence, stating that the mobs first pelted stones at the police station and later attacked the demolition team with petrol bombs. She clarified that the demolition drive started peacefully, but the force was met with resistance. She also emphasized that the property in question was not registered as a religious structure.
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The incident in Haldwani has raised concerns, leading the Uttarakhand government to issue a high alert for the entire state. The presence of four companies of paramilitary forces has been requested to maintain calm during ongoing anti-encroachment operations.
