Uttarakhand On High Alert: Two Dead, 250 Injured After Stone Pelting On Cops In Haldwani's Banbhoolpura Over Illegal Madrasa Demolition

At least two people were dead and over 250 people, including more than 100 policemen, injured after stones were pelted on a team of police, administration and civic body officials in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura by a violent mob following demolition of illegal Madrasa and mosque.

The incident, which unfolded on Thursday in the Muslim-dominated area of Haldwani, has left the city under curfew, with shoot-at-sight orders issued against rioters and internet services completely shut down.

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Schools in the Haldwani are also shut in light of the violence.

Initially, the administration informed that four people died in the violence but later the figures were revised down to two by the officials, attributing it to some confusion over gathering of information from hospitals in Haldwani.

The confrontation started after a team of government officials, accompanied by a significant police presence, tried to demolish the structures following a court order.

The authorities had deemed the madrasa and mosque illegal, leading to their demolition. 

However, a mob started to throw stones at the team, prompting the police to retaliate with tear gas.

Further, the violent mob set on fire several vehicles parked outside the police station.

Additional forces were called in by the administration to take control of the situation.

Following the violence, internet services were suspended in Haldwani.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that strict action will be taken against those involved in the violence.

A statewide high-alert has also been issued by the administration in the wake of the incident.

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