Haldwani Curfew To Be Relaxed After 7 Days Following Violent Attacks Over Madrasa Demolition

Curfew will be relaxed in Banbhoolpura town the epicentre of the Haldwani violence following the demolition of illegally constructed madrasa.

The Nainital administration announced a few hours of curfew relaxation in Banbhoolpura town on Thursday, seven days after it was imposed due to the violence sparked by the demolition of an alleged illegal madrasa. According to a PTI report, Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh issued an order stating that the curfew will be relaxed from 9 AM to 4 PM in Gaujajali, Railway Bazar, and the FCI godown area. In the rest of Banbhoolpura, it will be relaxed for two hours from 9 AM to 11 AM.

On February 8, violence broke out over the demolition of an illegally built madrasa in the Banbhoolpura area. Locals were seen hurling stones and molotov cocktails at municipal workers and police, forcing many police personnel to seek refuge at a police station, which the mob then set on fire.

During the violent incident, six rioters were killed and more than a hundred, including police personnel and members of the media, were injured, news agency PTI quoted the police as saying.

The curfew was initially imposed in Banbhoolpura following the violence and had previously been lifted from the outskirts. This allowed the gradual resumption of essential services, with buses, trains, and schools. Additionally, efforts are underway to ensure the distribution of gas cylinders and facilitate the provision of other essential items to residents, according to PTI.

On Tuesday, the Haldwani Municipal Corporation issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against Abdul Malik, a key accused in the Haldwani violence, demanding he deposit the sum to cover damages caused to government property during the clash. The initial assessment of the loss allegedly caused by Malik was pegged at Rs 2.44 crore, the civic body said, asking him to deposit this amount in the Municipal Corporation, Haldwani by February 15, according to ANI. 

In the notice, officials stated that Malik's supporters attacked the team conducting the demolition drive in 'Malik Ka Bagicha' and caused damage to municipal corporation properties.

A team from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) visited violence-struck Sandeshkhali on Thursday. The NCSC team was led by chairman Arun Halder. He was accompanied by NCSC member Anju Bala. They interacted with the victims of the violence.