Haldwani riots: Magistrate inquiry into February 8 riots; Curfew lifted from rural areas

More than 60 people were injured on Thursday after locals threw stones and petrol bombs at municipal workers and police in Haldwani town of Nainital district of Uttarakhand as protests broke out over the demolition of an 'illegally constructed' madrasa in Bhanbhoolpura locality.

Haldwani Violence: Some semblance of normalcy returned to violence-hit Haldwani in Uttarkhand's Nainital district as curfew was lifted in the city's outskirts on Saturday, while a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the February 8 riots that passed through the Banbhoolpura area after the demolition of an “illegal” madrassa.

Officials said the curfew remained in place in Banbhoolpura, the epicenter of the mob violence, while a search continues for Abdul Malik who built the building.

Internet shut down, 5 held so far

Meanwhile, internet services remained suspended in the city to prevent rumors from spreading through social media platforms. Police patrolled the affected areas as streets looked deserted and shops and schools remained closed.

A senior police officer said three FIRs have been registered and five persons have been arrested in connection with the riots so far.

“Police have started a search for a suspect named Abdul Malik, who had built the now destroyed illegal structure and strongly opposed its demolition,” Nainital Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena told reporters at a press conference.

'Conspiracy', magisterial probe ordered

Police said they have collected CCTV footage and video clips from Thursday's riots and the footage is being analyzed to identify the rioters, police said.

The arson, vandalism and attack on police personnel in Haldwani were part of a conspiracy, the SSP said.

Chief Secretary Radha Raturi said in an order that a magisterial probe will be conducted by Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, who will submit his report to the government within 15 days.

The order restricting the area under curfew to Banbhoolpura was issued by Nainital district magistrate Vandana Singh on Saturday. Shops on the outskirts of the city opened on Saturday after the partial lifting of the curfew, but schools remained closed.

No deaths from police fire

Officials said six rioters were killed while as many as 60 people were injured in Thursday's riots, but none of the deaths occurred due to police firing, SSP Meena said, adding that post-mortem reporters will clarify and justify the circumstances of their deaths . the police claim.

He said police fired on orders from authorities to disperse the crowd.

“No one died in the shooting because we searched the entire area after the shooting and found no bodies. The bodies were found in hospitals the next day. Post-mortem and forensic examination reports will clarify the circumstances leading to their deaths,” he said.

Curfew lifted in rural areas

As per Saturday's official order, the curfew is now restricted to the entire Banbhoolpura area, which also includes the Army Cantonment (including workshop line) Tikonia-Teenpani and the area within the periphery of the Gaulapar bypass.

Movement of vehicles on Nainital-Bareily highway and commercial establishments will be free from restrictions, it added.

However, in the areas where the curfew is in force, only hospitals and medical shops remain open.

“Continuous patrolling is going on in the affected areas and the situation is under control,” AP Anshuman, Deputy Director General (ADG) of Police, Law and Order, who is camping in Haldwani, told news agency PTI.

Sixteen people have been named as suspects in the three FIRs, the ADG said, adding that five of them have been arrested and the rest will also be detained soon.

Residents of the Banbhoolpura area, where the curfew is still in force, are allowed to purchase essential groceries from time to time, the ADG said.

The movement of trains to Kathgodam has also resumed, he added.

No new untoward incident has been reported anywhere, the officer said.

Haldwani violence

More than 60 people were injured on Thursday after locals threw stones and petrol bombs at municipal workers and police, forcing many police personnel to take refuge at a police station, which the crowd then set on fire.

Seven people, including a journalist, were treated in three different hospitals on Friday. Three of them are said to be in a serious condition.

(With PTI inputs)