With the situation tense but under control, the city continues under curfew as officials take stringent measures to manage the unrest. The injuries sustained by those involved in the clash are being attended to in hospital. The Chief Minister has stressed the enforcement of prohibitory orders and affirmed that actions must be decisive against those instigating violence. The Uttarakhand High Court discussed the issue at a hearing but decided not to halt the demolition, scheduling a further hearing for February 14.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while recognizing the involvement of “anti-social elements,” called a meeting and dispatched additional security forces to the site for maintaining order. He urged the public to remain peaceful as efforts continued to restore calm. The demolition, targeting encroachments on government land, was conducted under heavy security. The local administration has emphasized the legality of the action in line with court directives.
Provoked by the court-ordered demolition of both the madrasa and an adjoining mosque, the community’s response escalated into widespread violence. Protests turned violent as residents threw stones at the officials on site, resulting in injuries to over 50 policemen and others caught in the crossfire. The escalation saw property damage, including torched vehicles near the police station.
The demolition operation, based on a prior notice over the illegal construction on government land, led to a clash outside Banbhoolpura police station with reports of gunfire and several individuals sustaining fatal bullet injuries. Vandana cited the possibility that the violence was premeditated, indicating preparedness of rioters with stored stones and petrol bombs. Despite these challenges, security forces comprising additional police and paramilitary units have managed to contain the situation.
Communal tension surged in Haldwani, Nainital district, where violence erupted in the Banbhoolpura area following the demolition of a structure termed an “illegally built” madrasa. District magistrate Vandana imposed a curfew and enforced ‘shoot-at-sight’ orders for rioters as vehicles were set ablaze and more than 100 individuals, mainly police personnel, sustained injuries. Schools across the region were ordered to remain closed amidst the unrest.