Haldwani Violence: Zero tolerance of Dhami government against illegal encroachment by Islamists

On February 8, in Banbhoolpura, the Muslim majority area of Haldwani city, which is also the second biggest city of Uttarakhand and the gateway to Kumaon, the gang of land mafia Haji Abdul Malik systematically attacked the administration team that had gone to remove the illegal encroachment. This violent mob also set ablaze banbhoolpura Police Station. Emboldened by this act, miscreants also torched dozens of vehicles, police personnel, especially women police personnel, journalists were mishandled and attempts were also made to set them on fire.

Heavy Catchment of Arms Recovered

More than two hundred people were injured and six people died in this incident. The situation was brought under control when paramilitary forces reached the spot on time, after which curfew was imposed in the area and door-to-door searches were conducted where a large number of illegal weapons were recovered. Till now, about 50 people have been arrested.

“This is a clear message from our government to the miscreants and rioters that no one who plays with the peace of Devbhoomi will be spared; there is no room for such miscreants in Uttarakhand” — Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand CM

Here it is worth mentioning that the incident took place at Government land in Banbhoolpura Police Station area, which was once on lease. The lease expired, hence it was recorded in the Government documents. This three-acre land was illegally occupied by Haji Abdul Malik and he was selling it with a stamp of Rs 50. It was being sold on paper, on which a PIL was filed in the High Court, after which it was directed to the district administration and the administration took possession of it. On February 1, a notice was issued to the madrassa and namaz place for children built on one side of the said land. They were asked to remove it themselves.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay said, “When the encroachment was not removed, we planned to remove it ourselves and sealed the place. On February 6, the accused party submited their application in the High Court, in which the court did not give them any relief on February 8 and fixed the hearing date as February 14. Meanwhile, on February 8, the police administration went and demolished the illegal encroachment.”

Targeting the Police

When the Municipal Corporation team and police force were returning after removing illegal encroachment, Abdul Malik’s henchmen and the mob instigated by him surrounded the administration’s convoy and started attacking them with petrol bombs, stones and glass bottles. Further, anti-social elements came on a bike and surrounded Banbhoolpura Police Station. They threw petrol bombs and set parked vehicles on fire. By the time, the police force reached to help wounded people and police, more than 200 police personnel, journalists and members of the corporation were injured.

Meanwhile, a large number of people belonging to Valmiki community reached Gandhi Nagar area to help the Corporation workers and rescue them safely. They also took journalists to a safe place. As soon as CRPF, SSB force arrived to help the police, SSP Prahlad Meena and City Magistrate Richa Singh ordered shoot at sight and imposed curfew in the area. The situation was brought under control late in the night.

Confiscate Miscreants Property

Late night, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called an emergency meeting and reviewed the situation and gave instructions to send additional police forces to the riot-hit area and deal strictly with the miscreants. He immediately sent ADG Law and Order Anshuman to Haldwani. By morning, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and DGP Abhinav Kumar also reached Haldwani and reviewed the situation. On February 9, in the afternoon, CM Pushkar Dhami also reached Haldwani where he inquired about the well-being of the injured police personnel and journalists.

CM Dhami warned that those who try to disturb Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand will not be spared. The accused will be sent to jail under the Gangster Act and Rasuka Act. The Government’s loss will be compensated by confiscating their properties.

“The police acted in the lawful exercise of their right to self-defence in discharging their official duties. We have sufficient audio-visual evidence to support this effect. It will be presented in the ongoing magisterial inquiry and criminal investigation” — Abhinav Kumar, DGP, Uttarakhand

DM Vandana Singh said, “This was an action to remove encroachment but some mischievous elements tried to give this incident a communal colour, which we foiled. The accused are being identified with the help of CCTV, video and mobile surveillance. So far, 128 arms licenses have been cancelled.”

“A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too…Our teams and resources moved and nobody was provoked or harmed…No actions were taken (by Police and administration) to cause harm to life and property…The demolition drive began peacefully…Despite the entire process being carried out properly, a large mob, within half an hour attacked our municipal cooperation team…” — Vandana Singh, DM Nainital

SSP Prahlad Meena said that door-to-door search is going on. Till now, 52 people have been sent to jail. Illegal weapons, pistols and cartridges have also been recovered. Six teams have been formed to search the main accused Abdul Malik. He revealed that Abdul Malik is an old history-sheeter and preparations are underway to confiscate his property.