In a violent turn of events, five individuals were killed and 14 critically injured during clashes in Uttarakhand's Haldwani on February 9, 2024. The clashes erupted following the demolition of a madrasa and masjid as part of a district anti-encroachment drive.

According to the district administration, the violence was described as "pre-planned, unprovoked, and not communal". District Magistrate Vandana Singh emphasized that the incident should not be considered as a result of communal tensions, but rather a deliberate act carried out by anti-social elements. However, local residents alleged that the clashes were provoked by the police, claiming that they had gone to court against the anti-encroachment notice, thus questioning the demolition.

The deceased individuals have been identified as Faim Qureshi, Zahid, Mohd Anas, Shabban, and Prakash Kumar. Nainital's Senior Superintendent of Police, Prahlad Narayan Meena, confirmed the deaths and stated that several individuals with severe injuries have been admitted to medical facilities. He further added that several policemen were also injured during the clashes.

In response to the situation, the district administration has imposed a curfew in the area and issued orders to shoot on sight. Additionally, internet services have been suspended, and schools in the vicinity have been closed until further notice.

The violence erupted in the Banbhoolpura area, a densely-populated Muslim-dominated locality, when a police and district administration team arrived to demolish what local residents claim was a madrasa and masjid. However, District Magistrate Vandana Singh stated that the demolished structure had not been registered or recognized as a religious entity.

The district administration revealed that the clash intensified when the crowd began to throw stones at the police after the demolition was almost complete. The situation escalated further as the mob proceeded to the police station, setting public property and vehicles on fire.

District Magistrate Vandana Singh declared that the violence was an orchestrated attempt to challenge the state machinery and disrupt law and order. She alleged that anti-social elements attempted to burn policemen alive and threw petrol bombs at them.

The district administration clarified that the demolition drive was a part of a wider anti-encroachment campaign by the civic body to widen roads in the district. They asserted that notices had been served to those illegally occupying government land, and legal relief had been sought by some. However, the structure demolished during the clashes was not among those that had approached the High Court for relief.

While a religious leader from Banbhoolpura claimed that the madrasa and masjid owners had obtained a date of hearing on February 14, he acknowledged that the matter was still sub-judice. He also alleged video evidence of police provocation and lamented the suspension of internet services in the area.

Congress MLA from Haldwani, Sumit Hriyadesh, suggested that the incident could have been avoided if the administration had communicated with the religious communities before initiating the anti-encroachment drive.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the violence-affected area and assured strict action against those involved in fueling tensions. The investigation is ongoing, with video footage being analyzed to identify individuals responsible for damaging government and public property.

It is important to note that the same Banbhoolpura area is currently facing uncertainty as hundreds of Muslim families residing along the railway track received eviction notices from the Railways. The matter has been taken to the Supreme Court after weeks of protests against the eviction, which was ordered by the Uttarakhand High Court.

As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on restoring peace and preventing further escalation of tensions in Uttarakhand's Haldwani.