Uttarakhand's Haldwani violence over anti-encroachment drive: Death toll revised to 2

The death toll in violence over an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand has been revised to two. Senior police superintendent Prahlad Narayan Meena reportedly said, “Earlier there was confusion... that four people died...we received information about two deaths each from Krishna Hospital and Sushila Tiwari Hospital. But it later came to light that two dead bodies which were initially brought to Krishna Hospital were subsequently taken to Sushila Tiwari Hospital. So there was doubling.”

At least 250 others were injured as the demolition led tocommunal tensions.

A 'shoot-at-sight' order was issued by authorities in Haldwani, located in Nainital district in Uttarakhand.

The demolition drive targeted an "illegally built" madrasa (an educational institution run by the Muslim community), and an underground mosque-like structure that, according to authorities,was illegally constructed on government land in the Banbhulpura area.

Police official Prahlad Meena said the madrasa demolition took place after prior notice to the residents.

He said that people living around the madrasa hurled stones at the police personnel and journalists, leaving some injured.

The district magistrate has imposed a curfew in the Banbhoolpura region after a tense situation triggered amid an anti-encroachment drive.

Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar told ANI news agency that the state government has also demanded the Ministry of Home Affairs for additional police forceand has deployed four additional central forces.

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"Around 4 pm today, a joint team of District Administration and Police was conducting an anti-encroachment drive in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani as per the Court's order. Opposing that, a few anti-social elements pelted stones and caused arson," Kumar said.

"It is also being said that they fired at the police using illegal weapons. DIG Kumaon reached the spot immediately and additional police forces have also been called there."

"The State Government has also demanded that the MHA [Ministry of Home Affairs] provide additional Police forces. MHA has made 4 companies of additional central forces available to us," he added, further adding that the situation, however, is under control.

Officials said that local residents pelted stones at police and torched vehicles.

(With inputs from agencies)