Udaipur stabbing: Administration demolishes house of student accused amid communal unrest

The Udaipur district administration on Saturday (August 17) demolished the house of a boy accused of stabbing a classmate, which led to communal unrest in India's western city. The house, allegedly constructed illegally, had already been vacated and disconnected from electricity prior to thedemolition.

The forest department issued a notice earlier that morning, stating that the house was built illegally on forest land. Although the notice mentioned a three-day evacuation period, the demolition proceeded that afternoon. The forest department also claimed that a prior notice had been given six months ago.

A video by news agency PTI showed a bulldozer tearing down the house of the accused student. Mobile internet was cut off in several areas ofUdaipurfor 24 hours starting Fridayafter a class 10 student was stabbed at school.

According to PTI, all schools were closed following the incident. The stabbing, which involved students of different religions at Rajkiya Ucch Madhyamik Vidyalaya in Bhattiyani Chouhatta, caused significant unrest and chaos, leading to arson and violence that prompted early closures of shops and markets.

In response, the districtadministration enacted Section 163 under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to manage the situation, resulting in a suspension of internet services and school closures.

On Saturday, the situation was reportedlycalm, with markets reopening. Peace talks are ongoing between the conflicting communities, and the injured student's condition is reported to be stable. A team of doctors from Jaipur is in Udaipur to oversee the student’s care.

Udaipur district collector Arvind Poswal confirmed that a special aircraft brought a team of three doctors from Jaipur for the student's treatment. Divisional Commissioner Rajendra Bhatt ordered the suspension of mobile internet services for 24 hours from 10:00pm (local time)on Friday in various areas of Udaipur.

The collector has urged residents to disregard rumours about the incident. After the stabbing, a mob set fire to cars and threw stones outside a government school in Bhattiyani Chohatta amidcommunal tensions.

(With inputs from agencies)