Yesterday, in Uttarakhand's Haldwani, tension escalated when a crowd resorted to stone pelting and arson. This outbreak of violence was in response to the demolition of a madarsa, which was reported to have been built on government land that had been illegally encroached upon. The location of this incident was near the Banbhulpura police station, an area now spotlighted by an ongoing campaign to remove illegal encroachments.

The authorities, including police officers and workers from the Haldwani Municipal Corporation, faced the mob's fury firsthand. Their mission to take down the illegally constructed madarsa was met with severe resistance. "The irate mob reportedly pelted stones at the policemen and Haldwani Municipal Corporation workers present there." The situation quickly deteriorated when the group encircled the police station, setting ablaze vehicles parked outside.

Further escalating the situation, the mob ignited a transformer, plunging the area into darkness. The sudden power outage compounded the chaos, with several journalists and administrative officials finding themselves trapped inside the police station, surrounded by protestors.

In the tumult, a number of individuals sustained injuries. Among the wounded were policemen and municipal corporation workers, including an SDM, marking a day of intense confrontation and unrest in Haldwani.

The police deployed tear gas to disband the agitated crowd, striving to prevent any further escalation of violence.

Koo App हल्द्वानी प्रशासन की प्रेस कॉन्फेंस | #हल्द्वानी DM Sensational revelation by #Haldwani DM. She says that IsIamists were well prepared for the attack. They had planned that they'll attack police when they come to remove illegal encroachment. And we all saw how they didn't even spare female police officers, even tried to burn them aIive. #HaldwaniRiots #HaldwaniIsBurning हिंसा फैलाई...नहीं बचेंगे दंगाई #HaldwaniIsBurning #HaldwaniViolence #Haldwani @DM_NAINITAL Join | t.me/SatyaagrahIndia View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 9 Feb 2024

The intensity of the clash between the mob and the authorities was captured and shared widely on social media platforms like X, providing a stark visual representation of the chaos. These videos depicted the severe aftermath of the confrontation – numerous police officers sustaining injuries, and several police vehicles reduced to ashes amidst the flames.

In an effort to restore peace and order, an augmented police force was promptly mobilized to the troubled locale. High-ranking police and administrative officials were dispatched to oversee the situation, demonstrating the seriousness with which the authorities were treating this outbreak of violence.

In a significant move to curb the riotous behavior, the District Magistrate of Nainital imposed a curfew within Banbhulpura. A shoot-on-sight order was issued against individuals found engaging in riotous acts, underlining the gravity of the situation and the lengths to which the authorities were willing to go to maintain public safety.

The root cause of this upheaval traced back to an operation aimed at dismantling an unlawfully erected madarsa. This operation was spearheaded by key municipal figures – Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, City Magistrate Richa Singh, and SDM Paritosh Verma – who directed the use of heavy machinery to demolish the structure situated in Malik’s garden, within the Banbhulpura area. This action, intended to address illegal encroachment, inadvertently became the catalyst for the subsequent turmoil.

Following the unrest in Haldwani, officials revealed that they had previously informed the management of the madarsa-mosque that the structure was built illegally near the Banbhulpura police station. Despite being alerted, the management failed to present any legal documents to prove that the building was constructed lawfully. Furthermore, before this incident, the Corporation had already confiscated three acres of land adjacent to the site of the illegal madrasa and namaz area, which was subsequently demolished.

In the wake of these events, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a meeting with top officials yesterday to thoroughly assess the situation. This gathering was crucial for discussing the recent turmoil and strategizing on measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The government's swift action to convene and deliberate on the incident underscores its commitment to restoring and maintaining peace, as well as addressing illegal constructions decisively.

Uttarakhand Government Intensifies Actions Against Unlawful Religious Structures

In a significant move, the Uttarakhand government has intensified its crackdown on illegal madarsas and mazars, marking a continued effort to address unauthorized constructions. This initiative follows an earlier campaign in March of the previous year, where the government took decisive action against illegal mazars encroaching on reserved forest land. During this period, authorities carried out a comprehensive survey, identifying approximately 1400 religious structures unlawfully erected on government property.

This action aligns with statements made by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has consistently emphasized his administration's firm stance against the illegal establishment of mazars on protected forest territories. These unauthorized constructions have been a particular concern across the state, notably within the Jim Corbett National Park. Situated in the Nainital district, this park stands as one of the oldest and most renowned wildlife sanctuaries, nestled in the Himalayan foothills.

In September 2021, attention was drawn to a case of alleged land encroachment near Tehri Dam. Reports highlighted an illegal mosque constructed during the early 2000s at Khand-Khala Koti Colony, alarmingly close to the dam. Since its establishment, Hindu organizations have repeatedly endeavored to have the structure removed. A resurgence of protests by local Hindu groups in the first week of September 2021 marked a renewed effort to reclaim over 150 square meters of land from illegal occupation, showcasing the community's determination to address such encroachments.

In May 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made a decisive announcement regarding the widespread issue of mazars across the state, labeling them as encroachments that needed to be addressed.

Following this declaration, in June 2022, OpIndia investigative team embarked on a journey through various locales within the state, including the renowned Jim Corbett National Park. This park, celebrated for its rich wildlife and scenic beauty, nestled in the Himalayan foothills of the Nainital district, was found to have several unauthorized mazars within its boundaries.

The media also engaged in conversations with Swami Darshan Bharti, a respected figure and veteran saint known for his stand against illegal mazars and his efforts to combat drug addiction. Swami Darshan Bharti expressed his grave concerns over the burgeoning issue of unauthorized religious structures, which he views as a significant challenge facing Uttarakhand.

In a detailed dialogue, Swami Darshan Bharti shared his insights, pinpointing a crucial period under the Congress government led by ND Tiwari. According to him, it was during this tenure, not under the BJP's governance, that the Muslim population in Uttarakhand received a substantial boost, attributed to the facilitation of illegal Rohingyas obtaining official documentation.

The spotlight on the demographic shifts and the encroachment of forest lands prompted the state government to acknowledge the looming crisis. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the state's authorities were instructed to reclaim forest lands from encroachments. This directive led to a significant enforcement campaign, where bulldozers were deployed to demolish the illegal mazars erected on reserved forest territories, showcasing the government's commitment to restoring the sanctity of its natural and legal boundaries.

Haldwani shoot at sight orders: 4 dead, over 300 police personnel injured as Muslim mob went on rampage

In a harrowing incident in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area, the execution of an anti-encroachment operation on Thursday ended in violence, resulting in significant casualties and injuries. A statement from a high-ranking official indicated that the clash led to the deaths of at least four individuals and injuries to over 100 police officers.

State ADG Law & Order, AP Anshuman, detailed the toll of the conflict, noting, "Four people died in the violence-hit Banbhoolpura and more than 100 policemen were injured." This confrontation marks a somber moment for the community.

Further details emerged, suggesting a higher fatality count. Reports have identified six individuals who lost their lives in the violence, including the father-son pair Johnny and Anas, and four others named Aris, Faheem, Israr, and Siwan. This loss has deeply affected the local population.

As a consequence of the disturbances, measures were swiftly implemented by the district authorities to maintain order and safety. Internet connectivity was halted, and an immediate suspension of academic activities was ordered, leading to the shutdown of schools and colleges in the area. These actions were part of broader efforts to stabilize the situation and mitigate further unrest.

Following the outbreak of violence in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani, which resulted in four fatalities and injuries to over 100 police officers, the Nainital District Administration took decisive action. "Internet services suspended after violence in Banbhoolpura of Haldwani in which so far 4 people have died and more than 100 policemen were injured. The administration has also ordered the closure of all schools and colleges," stated the Nainital District Administration, highlighting the immediate steps taken to ensure public safety and prevent further escalations.

In response to the unrest, the Uttarakhand government declared a state of high alert across the region as a preventive measure against potential further violence.

The situation's severity prompted a swift reaction from security forces. "Earlier, four companies of paramilitary forces were rushed to Haldwani in Nainital district after violence erupted on Thursday in Banbhoolpura during an anti-encroachment drive," indicating the scale of the law enforcement's mobilization to manage the crisis.

The Uttarakhand Police provided additional details on the reinforcements sent to quell the disturbances. "According to the Uttarakhand Police, two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) from Udham Singh Nagar also reached Haldwani."

Inspector General Nilesh Anand Bharne, serving as the spokesperson for the Police Headquarters, confirmed the deployment, stating, "Four companies of paramilitary personnel have been sent to the violence-hit area of Haldwani. Two companies of PAC from Udham Singh Nagar have already reached Haldwani." This statement underscores the concerted efforts by various branches of the state's security apparatus to restore order and protect the community in the wake of the violent incident.

Yesterday, a significant escalation in law enforcement measures was observed in Banbhoolpura, with the District Magistrate imposing a curfew and issuing a shoot-at-sight order against individuals identified as 'rioters.'

Uttarakhand's Director General of Police (DGP), Abhinav Kumar, shared insights into the situation earlier in the day. He disclosed that the Ministry of Home Affairs had been approached with a request for additional central paramilitary personnel to support local efforts. "Around 4 pm today, a joint team from the district administration and police was conducting an anti-encroachment drive in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani, as per the court’s order. Coming out against the drive, a few miscreants pelted stones at the officials and also indulged in arson. It was also alleged that they opened fire at the police using illegal firearms," DGP Kumar recounted the challenges faced by the authorities during the operation.

In response to the escalating violence, "The state government has also demanded that the MHA provide additional police forces. The MHA has, so far, made four companies of additional central forces available to us," Kumar added, highlighting the central government's involvement in addressing the crisis. Despite the tumultuous events, Kumar reassured that the situation was under control.

Further, a press briefing by District Magistrate (DM) Vandana Singh offered visual evidence of the unrest. Singh presented video footage to the press, asserting that the attacks on police forces were unprovoked. "You can see (in the video) that the Police force and the administration are not provoking or harming anybody," she emphasized, countering any narratives that suggested otherwise.

Amid these developments, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made a call for calm, urging the populace to maintain peace. This appeal underscores the government's focus on restoring order and safeguarding the community's well-being in the face of adversity.