Two day after massive clashes in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani claimed five lives in the area, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi on Saturday ordered the Commissioner of Kumaon Division to conduct a magisterial probe. According to the order, the officials will look into the circumstances that led to the violence in Banbhool Pura area on Thursday night. The magisterial probe shall be completed within 15 days, the Chief Secretary said in his order.
Meanwhile, and Indian Express report said that 16 people have been named in the FIRs related to Haldwani violence. As many as three FIRs have been registered by the police, the IE report said.
The FIRs have been filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, notably including 147 (related to rioting), 148 (pertaining to rioting while armed with deadly weapons), 307 (involving attempt to commit murder), 332 (involving voluntary causing hurt to public servant), along with provisions from the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The Thursday clashes erupted during the local administration’s anti-encroachment drive that was being carried out in the Banbhoolpura area. A madrasa and a mosque were razed as part of government’s drive. Authorities said that both mosque and madrasa were built on Nazool land. The Nazool land means that it is a government land, however, there is no official mention in the revenue records. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami had issued shoot at sight orders as rioters torched vehicles and pelted stones.