Nainital tense after Hindu girl allegedly raped repeatedly by aged Usman
Authorities in action, urge citizens to maintain harmony and peace
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Nainital
An old man from a particular community allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl from another community for three moths resulted in violence and considerable public anger in Nainital on Wednesday night and Thursday. The accused, Usman (65) has been apprehended by the police. The locals protested in the city demanding the death sentence even as the market remained closed. There was an undeclared curfew in Nainital city as protests were held and the shops remained closed, amidst heavy police presence.
Various organisations, political parties and citizens demonstrated in the city against the alleged heinour crime. The protesters also submitted a memorandum in the office of the Kumaon commissioner. However, when the protesters started advancing towards the residence of the accused, the police held them back. Kumaon commissioner Deepak Rawat’s vehicle was also stalled by the demonstrators though the police resolved the situation. The accused was taken to the court in Haldwani amidst tight security. The advocates also expressed anger and attempted to beat the accused. The advocates announced that none of them will defend the accused in court.
The protest in Nainital on Thursday resulted in an uncomfortable silence in most parts of Nainital. The checking by the police on link roads caused many tourists to turn back due to congestion and other factors. The tourists already in the city faced inconvenience due to lack of the usual facilities due to the protest.
Meanwhile, some members of the Muslim community have condemned the alleged crime and have appealed to all citizens to maintain peace. The Anjuman Islamiya Committee has sought the harshest of punishment for the guilty while also criticising the violence carried out against the shops and members of the Muslim community in the city. The committee has also sought action against those who vandalised shops of Muslims and indulged in violence against members of that community.
Considering the tension, the authorities have deployed two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, one company of the paramilitary force and additional police personnel. Four magistrates have also been deployed by the district administration to monitor the situation. Superintendent of police Jagdish Chandra said that the authorities are alert and monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, Nainital district magistrate Vandana Singh has appealed to the public to maintain peace and observe self restraint. She said that the necessary legal procedure is being followed to ensure that the guilty person is punished as per the law, adding that nobody can be allowed to violate the law. The senior superintendent of police Prahlad Singh Meena said that the accused has been arrested and sent to jail by the court. The public is angry but nobody can be allowed to violate the law, he said.
