Haldwani: Haldwani, located in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district, continues to be under stringent police and paramilitary control, observing a fourth consecutive day of curfew and internet suspension following communal tensions sparked by the demolition of a mosque and madrasa. Despite the matter being sub judice, with the next hearing scheduled for February 14, the town grappled with violence resulting in at least five deaths, although the exact toll remains unconfirmed.
While certain areas of the town showed signs of returning to normalcy on Sunday, with shops reopening for essential supplies, the Banbhoolpura area, the epicenter of the violence, remains heavily restricted. Internet services, briefly restored in some sections, were later suspended again in the evening.
In response to the unrest, Radha Raturi, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, wrote to the Home Minister requesting additional Paramilitary Forces, citing the “disruption of law and order by anarchist elements during the demolition.”
Residents faced challenges with curfew-related shortages, reporting instances where households ran out of cooking gas, leaving some without food. Although curfew restrictions were eased in some areas, Banbhoolpura remained under tight security.
Five individuals, including former councillors and members of the Samajwadi Party, were apprehended, with local media designating one as the ‘mastermind’ behind the unrest. In a subsequent ‘search operation,’ 30 more arrests were made, bringing the total to 90.
The aftermath of the violence has left residents grappling with fear and travel restrictions, with state-run buses to Haldwani suspended, and trains not halting at the station. Some residents were unable to return home, and others chose to leave to avoid potential police actions.
Amid heavy surveillance, entrances to Banbhoolpura remain barricaded, and police control extends to the homes of those who lost their lives, limiting access for family members. Only a few individuals were permitted to take the deceased to the graveyard, with the entire burial process closely guarded by the police, sources have revealed.
