Violence grips U’khand village over razing of madrassa

NEW DELHI: Authorities on Thursday imposed curfew and issued “shoot-at-sight” orders in Uttarakhand’s Banbhoolpura village after violence erupted following demolition of an “illegally built” madrassa during an anti-encroachment drive.
According to officials, local residents pelted stones at police and torched vehicles in the area after the razing of madrasaa that was built on government land.
SSP Prahlad Meena said that the action took place after a prior notice to the residents.
Meanwhile, amid reports of violence in the village, which is located in Haldwani district, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called a high-level meeting and reviewed the situation with chief secretary Radha Raturi, director general of Police Abhinav Kumar and other senior officials at his residence.
Dhami also urged the local people to maintain peace and ordered officials to take strict action against any unruly elements.
The district magistrate informed the chief minister over telephone that curfew has been imposed in the disturbed area of the village to maintain normalcy. He added that shoot-at-sight orders have also been issued to deal with the rioters.
(with input from agency)