Haldwani/New Delhi (TIP)- Six “rioters” were killed in violence that broke out over the demolition of an illegally built madrasa, officials said as curfew remained enforced in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani town.
More than 60 persons were hurt on Thursday, Feb 8, as local residents hurled stones and petrol bombs at municipal workers and the police, forcing many police personnel to seek refuge in a police station which the mob then set on fire.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Haldwani, meeting some of the injured. He termed the violence a “planned attack”, and said the stockpiling of arms, stones and petrol bombs suggested this.
“Women police personnel were brutally thrashed. They even tried to throw a journalist into the flames… Every rioter involved in arson and stone pelting would be identified and strictest action taken against them,” Dhami.
Altogether, six “rioters” were killed, SP (City) Harbans Singh said. Three others were said to be in a critical condition.
A day after the clashes, with curfew in force since 9 pm on Thursday, Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura area looked deserted. Stones were strewn on the streets and there were charred remains of torched vehicles.
On Friday, 9, Feno further incident of violence was reported from the locality where the madrasa – which included a “structure” where prayers were held.
Over 1,000 police personnel remained deployed in the town, close to Nainital, officials said. The demolished structures were on government land, and municipal workers and police acted after court orders, they said.
The officials said stones were thrown at them from rooftops, where they appeared to have been stocked. Some of the alleged rioters killed in the violence had gunshot wounds.
Curfew has been lifted from outer areas of violence-hit Haldwani in Uttarakhand, after tension prevailed in the town following the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa and an adjoining mosque. However, curfew remains in force in Banbhoolpura area.