Over 200 Shanties Belonging To 'Illegal' Immigrants Demolished In Haryana’s Nuh Following Violence

The move, however, is also being seen as an action against alleged rioters, as the government has maintained immigrants were involved in the communal clashes that claimed six lives.

Following the violent clashes in Haryana's Nuh district, law enforcement agencies on Friday demolished more than 200 shanties of 'illegal' immigrants who were allegedly involved in the violence. A number of shanties were built illegally in the past four years on lands belonging to the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) in the Tauru area of Nuh. Those shanties were then allegedly inhabited by illegal immigrants that came from Bangladesh. The demolition drive was carried out by district authorities with a heavy police contingent on Thursday, reported news agency IANS. The move, however, is also being seen as an action against alleged rioters, as the government has maintained immigrants were involved in the communal clashes that claimed six lives. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reportedly ordered the demolition.

When the police were probing into the Nuh violence, they found that the majority of demonstrators had pelted stones in-and-around Tauru. They targeted shops, police and people during clashes. Police reviewed CCTV footage and videos through which they identified the houses from where most of the stone pelting was orchestrated. IANS reported that as per their sources, similar demolition drives will be carried out in over 50 more places in Nuh.

A senior police officer while talking to IANS said, "Demolition was carried out by relevant agencies and we provided police support. Further Investigations are underway."

The bulldozer action took place amid heavy police and paramilitary deployment in anticipation of disturbances. Officers from several government departments were also present at the spot.

SP Nuh Narender Birjaniya while talking about the demolition to IANS said, "These structures were illegal. We cannot allow anyone to hamper law and order. Those involved in the riots will be nabbed soon."

The outgoing SP Varun Singla said, "Action has been taken on the illegal properties...The govt is taking strict actions."

According to IANS, Police conducted combing exercises in Mewli, Shikarpur, Jalalpur and Shingar villages. 

Riots on Monday erupted when a Brij Mandal Yatra organised by the VHP was attacked and vehicles were set on fire. Till now, 55 FIRs have been lodged and 141 people have been arrested in the matter. On Thursday, the overall situation in Nuh and Gurugram remained calm. A special cybercrime team has collected footage of all CCTV cameras that are installed along the Yatra route.