Curfew in Haldwani loosened temporarily

Authorities have temporarily eased the curfew in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani City, imposed after violence erupted on February 8 during an anti-encroachment drive.

Nanital Police specified that the night curfew will continue from 8 pm to 6 am in Gaujajali, FSI, and the Godown area, while in other Banbhoolpura police station areas, it will be from 5 pm to 6 am.

The curfew was initially enforced, accompanied by shoot-at-sight orders, in response to stone-pelting, vehicle torching, and a mob surrounding the local police station during the anti-encroachment drive.

The Additional Director General (ADG), Administration, Amit Sinha, visited the violence site, assessed the newly established police post, and reviewed security arrangements.

As a result of the Haldwani violence, around 30 individuals have been arrested, including Abdul Malik and Abdul Moeed, whose houses were attached by authorities.

The Haldwani Civil Court issued orders to confiscate the property of nine miscreants, permitting police action under relevant sections of CrPC.

Non-bailable warrants were issued against all nine accused, following which the Municipal Corporation in Haldwani issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against Malik.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized zero tolerance for miscreants in the state, while Uttarakhand Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar clarified that recent clashes were not communal.

The clashes resulted in five deaths, multiple injuries, and the recovery of country-made weapons and live rounds from those arrested. The state government requested the deployment of four additional companies of paramilitary forces in the district.