Clashes in India's Haldwani: Death toll climbs to six, search for rioters going on
File photo.
The death toll in clashes in Haldwani city ofIndia's Uttarakhandstatehas climbed to six, reported news agency PTI on Friday (Feb 9), citing officials. While the number of people injured in the incident has crossed 60 so far. Violence in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura town erupted on Thursday when state officials moved to demolish a property that an official said was neither registered as a madrasa nor as a place to offer prayers, though some locals considered it a religious site.
PTI reported that seven people, including a journalist, were under treatment on Friday at three different hospitals. Three of the injured were said to be in a serious condition, while others had been discharged. There were no further incidents of violence from thesite.
Officials said that over 1,000 police personnel remained deployed in Haldwani, adding that, the demolished structures were on government land, and municipal workers and police acted after court orders.
Violence was a 'planned attack': CM Dhami
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid a visit to Haldwani (which is in Nainital district) and met some of the injured. Chief Minister Dhami called the violence a "planned attack,"and said the stockpiling of arms, stones and petrol bombs suggested this.
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“Our women police personnel were brutally thrashed. They even tried to throw a journalist into the flames. It was an attempt to disrupt the atmosphere of social amity and peace for which Uttarakhand is known,” Dhami told reporters and assured action against the rioters would be taken.
He also apprised Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh about the law and order situation in the state.
Search for rioters going on: Police
The Uttarakhand Police said that they were using CCTV footage to identify rioters and stone pelters. A high alert was issued across the state, and security was tightened in Banbhoolpura.
Meanwhile, the Nainital district administration ordered the suspension of internet services and the closure of schools and colleges.