Haldwani Violence: 'People Tried To Spoil Atmosphere In Dev Bhoomi', Uttarakhand CM Says. NSA To Be Invoked Against Accused

Underlining the hill state’s revered status as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ (Land of the Gods), CM Pushkar Dhami expressed dismay over the unprecedented nature of the violence in Haldwani.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during a meeting with officials regarding the recent violence that erupted in Haldwani.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami strongly condemned the recent outbreak of violence in Haldwani and stressed that the anti-encroachment drive was conducted in accordance with the directives of the administration, news agency ANI reported.

“Yesterday, during the enforcement of the anti-encroachment measures to demolish illegal structures, a condemnable incident of violence was reported. Our police personnel, including female officers, were subjected to unwarranted attacks and pelting of stones. Such actions are utterly deplorable,” ANI quoted CM Dhami as saying.

Underlining the hill state’s revered status as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ (Land of the Gods), CM Dhami expressed dismay over the unprecedented nature of the violence, asserting that such incidents never happened in the region.

#WATCH | On Haldwani violence, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, Anti-encroachment drive has been going on as per the court's direction...administration had notified people beforehand... administration were attacked with petrol bombs, stones, there was arson also. Some… pic.twitter.com/dXrLsv2kmn

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 9, 2024

“Certain elements have attempted to disrupt the tranquility of 'Dev Bhoomi' and have taken the law into their own hands. Journalists were targeted, their equipment vandalized, and public property was set ablaze," ANI quoted CM Dhami as saying.

Assuring swift action, the chief minister also affirmed that authorities would thoroughly scrutinise the video evidence to identify and apprehend those responsible for the violence. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the rule of law, asserting, “The perpetrators will face consequences as per the law. Justice will prevail.”

CM Dhami also noted the importance of allowing legal processes to take their course, reaffirming the government's determination to maintain peace and order in Uttarakhand.

He further stated that the demolition drive, in line with the court's directives, has been underway in the state and prior notifications were also issued to the parties affected as a standard protocol.

NSA To Be Invoked Against Those Who Attacked Police: DGP

Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar, asserted that stringent measures under the National Security Act (NSA) would be enforced against those responsible for assaulting police officers and perpetrating acts of arson and vandalism in Haldwani.

Accompanied by the Additional Director General of Law and Order, AP Anshuman, the DGP conducted an on-site evaluation of the situation in the violence-hit town along with other senior officials.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: On the violence that erupted in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, DGP Abhinav Kumar says, "Along with Chief Secretary, ADG Law and Order, I took stock of the situation in the region and held a meeting to understand the sequence of events. We then visited… pic.twitter.com/TJxjAJEs1C

— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2024

“Stringent action, including the application of the NSA, will be pursued against the unruly individuals who targeted law enforcement personnel and instigated violence, culminating in the arson and vandalism witnessed at the Banbhoolpura police station," PTI quoted the DGP as saying.

He also held a meeting with district officials in Haldwani and sought their feedback on the situation. “After the feedback we received from the district administration, we have two priorities - restoring normalcy in Haldwani within 24 hours, and identifying and taking action against all miscreants,” ANI quoted DGP Kumar as saying.