Uttarakhand’s Dehradun found itself embroiled in a tumultuous weekend as road blockades, protests, and detentions unfolded, stemming from a communal clash and vandalism at the city’s railway station. The escalating tensions and incidents marked a significant period of unrest in the community.
The events began when a 16-year-old girl from Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, was discovered with a 21-year-old man from a different community at the Dehradun railway station. Their presence, especially at an unusual hour, drew the attention of railway police, leading to a situation that quickly spiralled into a heated altercation between members of two communities. The confrontation intensified, culminating in stone-pelting and damage to parked two-wheelers, prompting swift police intervention to restore order and book those involved in the vandalism.
At the core of the subsequent upheaval was the detention of several individuals, including Bajrang Dal leader Vikas Verma, in connection with the communal clash and vandalism at the railway station. This resulted in road blockades, protests, and demands for the release of the detained individuals. The frustration and tension festered, leading to further incidents in the Paltan Bazar and Ghanta Ghar areas of the city, ultimately resulting in traders closing their shops in protest and calling for Verma’s release and the removal of the Senior Superintendent of Police.
The discord reached a peak with a large crowd gathering at the iconic Ghantaghar, raising slogans, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, and erecting barricades to demand Verma’s release. The situation escalated further, with the crowd swelling to 300-400 people, prompting additional police forces to be called in. The protesters’ actions, which included the blocking of the clock tower area, affected traffic and emergency services, necessitating repeated interventions from law enforcement to bring the situation under control.
The culmination of these events led to swift police action, including the registration of an FIR against 300-400 unidentified people, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the efforts to address the community unrest. Throughout the tumultuous week, the incident at the railway station catalyzed significant unrest, prompting not only police measures but also demands for the release of the detained individuals.