Haldwani is facing problems due to clashes after a madrasa was taken down. Two people have lost their lives, and more than 100 are hurt.
Commotion started in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani, when people got upset about a madrasa being demolished because it was built without proper approval. The local government quickly put a curfew in place and gave orders to shoot anyone causing trouble.
The district officer, Vandana Singh, updated on Friday that two people had died, correcting earlier reports of three to four deaths due to confusion. Over 100 people, mainly police officers, got hurt in the Banbhoolpura clashes. Vandana mentioned that the curfew in Haldwani aims to bring back order, and they’ve also stopped internet services and closed schools in the area.
Important points about the Haldwani unrest:
The curfew was enforced because people were setting vehicles on fire and throwing stones, leading to over 100 injuries during the madrasa demolition.
Most of the injured were police and workers involved in taking down the madrasa.
Police had warned earlier about the illegal construction on government land.
Vandana talked about violence near the Banbhoolpura police station, where people fired weapons, and the police responded. The identity of the deceased people are yet to be confirmed.
Rioters tried to set fire to the police station but were stopped by the police. The violence then spread to the Gandhi Nagar area.
Vandana suggested that the violence seemed planned, with evidence of stored stones and the use of petrol bombs.
Vandana has assured that the situation now is completely under control, with violence contained in Banbhoolpura. Paramilitary forces are there, and more police from nearby areas are helping to maintain order.
In response, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting in Dehradun with senior officials to address the situation. The demolition was reportedly done with municipal officials present.
