Over 30 injured as anti-encroachment drive turns violent in Uttarakhand

Several people have been injured in violence after a team of district officials attempted to demolish an ‘illegal madrasa’ in the Banbhoolpura area of Uttarakhand’s Haldwani

Over 30 people were injured in violent clashes between police and locals in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura area of Uttarakhand on Thursday when a team of district administration officials attempted to demolish an ‘illegal madrasa’ in the area. Miscreants gheraoed the police station, pelted stones on officials, torched vehicles and public property. Shoot-at-sight orders were issued and curfew was imposed in the town.

A doctor at the Sushila Tiwari Medical College in the district told The Hindu that over 20 policemen and 10 civilians were brought to the hospital in critically injured condition.

“One person with bullet injury was brought dead,” said a hospital staff member on condition of anonymity. The police denied any casualty when last reports came in.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who called an emergency meeting of the police and administrative officials, said those responsible for the riots would not be spared.

“Following court’s orders, a team from the district administration had gone to conduct an anti-encroachment drive in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani on Thursday. This is when some miscreants entered into a brawl with the police which left several policemen and officials injured. We have sent additional forces to the spot and I appeal to everyone to maintain peace,” said Mr. Dhami.

Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay told media that the encroachers had not just built a madrasa at the spot but even a prayer space was being erected and both were illegal. He said acres of land was freed during Thursday’s anti-encroachment drive.

The Education department has ordered closure of schools in the city on Friday.