Tuesday, 13 February 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Following the recent riot in the Vanbhulpura area of Haldwani, the Nainital district magistrate Vandana Singh suspended 125 arms licenses of 120 people in the district. She has also directed the Nainital senior superintendent of police Prahlad Narayan Meena to take possession of all weapons with suspended licenses within 24 hours. This was stated in an order issued by the additional district magistrate of Nainital Fincharam Chauhan on Monday. He stated in the order that miscreants attacked police, administration officers and employees with licensed weapons and illegal lethal weapons on February 8 during the anti-encroachment drive in the Vanbhulpura area. In this attack, more than 100 officers and employees were injured. Three cases were registered in the matter in the Vanbhulpura police station under several relevant acts.
The order states that the locals of the Vanbhulpura area misused their licensed weapons to allegedly cause violence during the removal of the illegal encroachment. Since a similar incident can be repeated during the anti-encroachment campaign in the near future, the DM suspended 127 arms licenses of 120 arms license holders. She also directed the SSP to take possession of the suspended weapons and weapon licenses within 24 hours, stated the order. It is pertinent to mention here that the police have arrested 30 accused in the Haldwani riot case so far. The police also ended the suspension of internet services in the violence affected Vanbhulpura area on Sunday.
The DM recently stated on the matter that all accused will be identified soon and strict action will be taken against them. She also said that the incident was not communal and requested everybody to not make it communal or sensitive. Any particular community did not retaliate. This was an effort to challenge the state machinery, state government and the law and order situation. The authorities are investigating and will take strict action against all culprits, she added.
