Haldwani violence: over 5,000 booked, curfew lifted in some areas

A day after violence broke out in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area, police said they have registered a case against more than 5,000 people. Nineteen of them have been named, while others are yet to be identified.

Curfew has been lifted from the outer areas of this violence-hit Uttarakhand town, but it remains in force in the Banbhoolpura area that witnessed arson and vandalism by a mob over the demolition of an illegally built madrasa on Thursday.

Shops on the outskirts of the town opened on Saturday but schools remain closed.

Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Law and Order, A P Anshuman, who is camping in Haldwani, said, "Patrolling is continuously being done in the affected area and the situation is under control."

Moreover, Internet services continue to be suspended to prevent rumours from spreading through social media platforms. However, the residents of the Banbhoolpura area, where the curfew is still in force, are being allowed to buy essentials from time to time, the ADG said.

The movement of trains up to Kathgodam has also been resumed, he added.

No fresh untoward incident has been reported from anywhere, the officer said. Six rioters were killed in Thursday's violence, officials said.

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

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

Also watch: Haldwani violence: police to book arsonists under stringent National Security Act, says DGP