Madrasa demolition sparks violence in Haldwani; shoot-at-sight orders issued

Haldwani, Uttarakhand: A curfew was imposed here on Thursday as violence erupted in the city's Banbhoolpura area over the demolition of an "illegally built" madrasa, officials said.

Shoot-at-sight orders were also issued, reported news agency ANI.

Local residents pelted stones at police and torched vehicles here after authorities demolished the madrasa that was built on government land, they said.

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The madrasa demolition took place after a prior notice to the residents, according to SSP Prahlad Meena.

People living around the madrasa hurled stones at the police personnel and journalists, leaving some injured, Meena said.

The protestors also set vehicles on fire, he added.

The SSP said the madrasa stood on an "illegally encroached government land".

The demolition was carried out in the presence of Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, City Magistrate Richa Singh, SDM Paritosh Verma, he added.

—ANI