Haldwani Violence Was A Planned Attack On Police And Administration, Says Nainital DM

Violence and arson erupted in Banphoolpura of Haldwani city on Thursday evening, characterized not as a communal incident but as a premeditated attack on police and administration (law and order), according to Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh. She provided updates on the situation during a press conference on Friday.

Two individuals lost their lives, and three others sustained critical injuries in the violence, which ensued over the demolition of an illegally constructed madrasa and a prayer area inside its premises. Curfew has been imposed, and shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in the town. Both Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena, speaking at a joint press conference on Friday, confirmed the casualties resulting from Thursday's violence.

The District Magistrate stated that the local administration had been conducting a campaign to remove encroachments on government land in the city for several days. As part of this effort, the property in 'Malik ka Bageecha' was identified as an illegal construction, and prior notice was issued by the administration for its removal. She clarified that this structure was neither registered nor recognized as a religious facility, with differing opinions among locals referring to it as either a madrasa or a prayer space.

Vandana Singh emphasized that everyone was duly notified and provided with an opportunity for a hearing, with some individuals even approaching the High Court. "We do not intend to target specific assets," she affirmed. While presenting video evidence of the incident, she asserted that neither the police nor the administration provoked anyone or caused harm. She described how within 45 minutes of the campaign's commencement, a large mob attacked the Municipal Corporation team, pelting stones from nearby rooftops. Subsequently, another mob targeted Banbhoolpura police station with petrol bombs, attempting to burn the officers alive and setting fire to parked vehicles, including those belonging to police officers and local journalists.

Displaying the video footage, she highlighted the collection of stones on nearby rooftops, which were absent just three days prior, indicating a deliberate and coordinated effort by miscreants. "This was a completely planned attack on the police administration and the law and order system," she asserted.

Nainital District SSP Prahlad Meena also addressed the press conference, assuring that the situation in Haldwani is under control, and peace is being maintained by the police. He disclosed that four individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, with authorities actively seeking out approximately 14-15 others responsible for instigating and provoking the violence. Additionally, internet services have been suspended to prevent similar incidents from occurring elsewhere in Uttarakhand, with restoration planned once the situation stabilizes.

Addressing the loss of property, DM Vandana Singh noted the extensive damage to Banphoolpura police station and several police vehicles, alongside public transport buses. She condemned the incident as a direct challenge to state machinery.

In response to the violence, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered stringent action against the perpetrators. Under the anti-encroachment drive, when the Haldwani Municipal Corporation team, accompanied by police forces, attempted to demolish an illegally constructed building in Banphoolpura, nearby individuals began hurling stones from rooftops before escalating to petrol bomb attacks. A mob subsequently assaulted the police station, resulting in six fatalities and over 150 injuries. The administration has issued "shoot-at-sight" orders, with the DGP Uttarakhand and Chief Secretary dispatched to Haldwani to assess the situation.