The recent unrest in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, which resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities, has finally calmed down. This turmoil was ignited by the state government’s demolition of what was described as an “illegal structure” during an anti-encroachment operation in the area surrounding the Banbhoolpura police station. Following these events, the Nainital Police has lifted the curfew in the area, though a nighttime curfew will persist in specific zones, including Gaujajali, FSI, and the Godown area, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Additionally, a night curfew from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. will continue in other areas under the Banbhoolpura police station’s jurisdiction.
District Magistrate Vandana Singh has been both praised and criticized for her actions during this period of communal unrest in Haldwani.
While some hail her as a peacemaker, others have vehemently opposed her decision to demolish a madrasa in Banbhoolpura, labeling it as ‘illegal‘. This led to a surge in demands for her arrest on the social media platform X, with users questioning the legality of demolishing the 20-year-old Mariam Masjid.
Demanding the arrest of Nainital DM Vandana Singh
Despite the backlash, a few have supported Singh’s actions, arguing that her leadership was necessary for removing illegal occupants in Haldwani.
