Haldwani Violence: Police Are Not Provoking Or Harming Anybody, Says Nainital DM

Riots seized Haldwani on Thursday evening, when violence broke out over the destruction of a "illegally built" madrasa

Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh.

Source : X/@ANI

After riots erupted in Haldwani on Thursday evening, Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh on Friday stated that police force are not provoking or hamring anybody, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking with media, she stated: "After the HC's order action has been taken against encroachment at various places in Haldwani...Everyone was given notice and time for hearing...Some did approach the HC some were given time while some were not given time. Where time was not given demolition drive was conducted by PWD & Municipal Corporation. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted to a particular asset."

Deomilition drive was conducted at an empty property that has two structures, which were not registered as religious structures, DM Singh stated, adding that "some call the structure a Madrasa."

Highlighting that the demolition drive will continue, DM Singh said: "We decided to continue the demolition drive because there was no stay on the assets...A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too...Our teams and resources moved and nobody was provoked or harmed...No actions were taken (by Police and administration) to cause harm to life and property...The demolition drive began peacefully...Despite the entire process being carried out properly, a large mob, within half an hour attacked our municipal cooperation team." 

The DM stated that the mob attack was pre-planned, adding that "the force was deployed for prevention." 

"The first mob with stones were dispersed & the second mob that came in had petrol bombs. This was unprovoked and our team did not use any force," she stated. 

#WATCH | Haldwani violence | DM Nainital, Vandana Singh says, "The demolition drive started peacefully, the force was deployed for prevention...Stones were pelted on our Municipal Corporation's team...It was planned that the day the demolition drive will be conducted the forces… pic.twitter.com/JL098EatbW

— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2024

Singh stated that after the attack on police station, the mob went to Gandhi Nagar area, where people from all the communities and religions resides. "Efforts were made (by the mob) to terrorize the area," she stated. 

She stated: "Our priority was to protect the police station and then ensure that no loss of life or property occurred in Gandhi Nagar...Our efforts were directed to protect the main city of Haldwani." 

"Later, the police station was surrounded by the mob and those inside the police station were not allowed to come out. They were first pelted with stones & then attacked by petrol bombs. The vehicles outside the station were set on fire & due to the smoke, there was suffocation due to the smoke...Tear gas and water cannons were used only to safeguard the police station," she added. 

Commenting on the casuality, the DM said "according to official information till now, two people have died," however, news agency ANI has cited police official claiming that at least 4 people have been killed so far.