Uttarakhand: Muslim women in burqas identified as stone-pelters in Haldwani Violence

A week following the violent clashes between a Muslim mob and authorities in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, the police have disclosed startling details indicating the involvement of Muslim women wearing burqas in pelting stones at police personnel. The unrest erupted during the legal demolition of an unauthorised madrasa and mosque, resulting in six fatalities and injuring over 300 individuals, including policemen, policewomen, and civilians.

According to Senior Superintendent of Nainital, Prahlad Narayan Meena, the police are actively identifying the Muslim women who instigated disturbances during the violence in Banbhoolpura. These women, concealed under burqas, were reported to have hurled stones at police personnel during the clearance of encroachments. Meena emphasised that the culprits are being identified through CCTV footage and will be held accountable for their actions.

In a bid to restore normalcy, the local administration announced a temporary relaxation of the curfew imposed in Banbhoolpura town, Nainital district, on February 15th. District Magistrate Vandana Singh issued an order stating that curfew restrictions in specific areas would be eased from 9 am to 4 pm, allowing limited movement. Furthermore, certain portions of Banbhoolpura will observe a two-hour curfew relaxation from 9 to 11 am.

The aftermath of the violence has left over 300 police officers, administrators, and journalists injured, with six casualties reported. The agitated Muslim crowd set fire to a police station and subjected female cops to assault. Property worth over Rs 8 crore was damaged during the chaos. The district and police administrations have expressed intent to recover the losses incurred from the rioters.

In response to the unrest, the Nainital Police swiftly established a makeshift police outpost on the cleared land parcel in Banbhoolpura, following Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s announcement of erecting a police station at the site of the unlawful construction. The makeshift outpost was inaugurated by the injured female cops who endured the upheaval.

Uttarakhand authorities have initiated legal action, registering three FIRs against 5000 unnamed individuals and 19 known suspects. Thirty offenders have been arrested, and firearms and ammunition were seized from them. Efforts are underway to apprehend the main perpetrator, Abdul Malik, believed to have orchestrated the attack at “Malik Ka Bageecha.” A recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crores has been issued against him for damage to government properties and vehicles.