Alleged mastermind of Haldwani violence arrested from Delhi: reports

Abdul Malik, who is said to be the mastermind of the Haldwani violence, was arrested from Delhi on Sunday.

According to local media reports, a joint team of Delhi and Uttarakhand police arrested Malik. He is repeatedly being brought to Haldwani for questioning.

Police had claimed that it was Abdul Malik who built the illegal mosque on a government land in Banbhulpura, and allegedly planned the violence on February 8 after it was razed down during the anti-encroachment drive.

So far, five people have been arrested. Sixteen people were named as accused in the three FIRs.

The residents of Banbhoolpura area, where the curfew is still in force, are being allowed to buy essentials from time to time.

According to police, the movement of trains up to Kathgodam has also been resumed and no fresh untoward incident has been reported from anywhere.

More than 60 people were injured on Thursday after locals hurled stones and petrol bombs at municipal workers and police, forcing many police personnel to seek refuge at a police station, which the mob then set on fire.

Seven people, including a journalist, were undergoing treatment on Friday at three different hospitals. Three of them were said to be in a serious condition.

Also read | Haldwani violence was not communal: DM Vandana Singh