Haldwani Violence: Incident not communal, says DM Vandana Singh

The violence that broke out in Uttarakhand's Haldwani on Thursday has taken four lives and has injured hundreds of people. Following the incident the security has been beefed up in the violence-hit area of Haldwani, Uttarakhand. An anti-encroachment drive has also been initiated.

Expressing concern on the incident, Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh called the event regrettable and promising and said that the perpetrators will be identified and faced with severe consequences.

Singh advised everyone not to turn the incident into a sensitive or communal matter, stressing that it was not communal in character. She made it clear that the retaliation did not include any specific community.

"The police station has been completely damaged by the mob...This is an unfortunate incident. The accused will be identified and strict action will be taken. This (incident) was not communal. I request everybody to not make it communal or sensitive. Any particular community did not retaliate...This was an effort to challenge the state machinery, state govt and the law and order situation...A briefing will be done again in the evening," she said.

The DM while speaking to media persons also informed that the demolition drive started peacefully but stones were pelted on the Municipal Corporation's team. She called it a planned attack.

The DM further underlined that the action has been taken against encroachment at various places after an order from the High Court. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted at a particular asset.

Meanwhile, the investigation the case is on and the state has been put on high alert.