Nainital: The Nainital High Court has asked the four newly-elected MLAs, including state cabinet minister Premchand Aggarwal, to file their replies on the petitions seeking cancellation of their election.The court has also ordered the defeated candidates from Rishikesh, Manglaur, and Lohaghat to file their answers.A single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari has asked MLA from Rishikesh and cabinet minister in the state government Premchand Aggarwal to file a reply within six weeks in the matter of distributing money from the discretionary fund to the people through demand draft during elections. The next hearing of this case will be on May 25.&nbsp;—ANI

 The Nainital High Court has asked the four newly-elected MLAs, including state cabinet minister Premchand Aggarwal, to file their replies on the petitions seeking cancellation of their election. The court has also ordered the defeated candidates from Rishikesh, Manglaur, and Lohaghat to file their answers.

Nainital HC Seeks 4 Uttarakhand MLAs' Replies On Petitions Seeking Cancellation Of Their Election

The Nainital High Court has asked the four newly-elected MLAs, including state cabinet minister Premchand Aggarwal, to file their replies on the petitions seeking cancellation of their election.
The court has also ordered the defeated candidates from Rishikesh, Manglaur, and Lohaghat to file their answers.

Nainital: Five people were killed and one injured when their car fell into a gorge here, police said on Friday.The incident occurred on Thursday night in the Okhalkanda area when the car was going to Gurdwara Reetha Sahib from Haldwani, Senior Superintendent of Police Pankaj Bhatt said.Five passengers were killed on the spot and the injured driver was rushed to a hospital, the SSP said.Earlier on Thursday, five people had been killed when a utility vehicle fell into a gorge in the Tehri district.—PTI

Five people were killed and one injured when their car fell into a gorge here, police said on Friday.

5 killed as car falls into gorge in Nainital

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Pollution Control Board (PCB), Uttarakhand, and other government representatives were recently given a month by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to respond to allegations of illegal tree-cutting in the forest area next to Nainital.
The catchment region of the Naini lake is likewise in risk of being lost because it receives its replenishment from nearby forest areas.
The applicant had claimed that a few of the trees belonged to an endangered species, according to the order.
The Joint Committee was established by the NGT on September 1 with instructions to deliver a factual and action-based report within two months.
In accordance with the directive, Dr. Rajendra Singh, Assistant Section Officer (ASO) for Uttarakhand PCB, sent the Joint Committee's report on October 31.
We believe it is appropriate to receive a response from the State of Uttarakhand through the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Forest, Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Divisional Commissioner, Kummaon, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Commissioner, Nainital Municipality, and Uttarakhand PCB, who are pleaded as respondents No. 1 t.
The NGT further nominated Senior Advocate Akash Vashishtha as amicus curiae to help this Tribunal in its reasonable and fair adjudication of the issues in question due to the serious nature and severity of the environmental infractions implicated.
Now, the issue will be decided on February 3, 2023.
(Inputs from Agencies)

The Pollution Control Board (PCB), Uttarakhand, and other government representatives were recently given a month by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to respond to allegations of illegal tree-cutting in the forest area next to Nainital.

NGT seeks a response from Uttarakhand PCB about unlawful tree felling in Nainital

Nainital: Nainital High Court on Thursday stayed the order of the Uttarkhand Pollution Control Board (PCB) after hearing a petition, challenging the green body's order cancelling the no-objection certificate of 1724 industries, till further orders.
The Pollution Control Board in its order dated December 2 this year had cancelled the no-objection certificate of 1724 industries for not presenting the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) action plan and registration in the pollution board. A petition has been filed in the High Court against this order. The decision of the division bench of Nainital High Court Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari has brought relief to 1724 industries and lakhs of employees working there.
The court has directed the pollution control board to file its reply by December 20. Kumaon Garhwal Chambers of Commerce and Sidkul Manufacturers have filed a petition in the High Court challenging the December 2 order of the State Pollution Control Board.
During the hearing, the court was told on behalf of the petitioner that the PCB said in its order that 1724 industries of the state have not complied with Section 13 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules-2016 notified by the Government of India.
In the petition filed on behalf of the industrialists through the Chamber of Commerce, the High Court was requested to cancel the order of PCB and allow the industries to operate. Due to the ban on the said order of the High Court, the entrepreneurs have got immediate relief. —ANI

Nainital High Court on Thursday stayed the order of the Uttarkhand Pollution Control Board (PCB) after hearing a petition, challenging the green body's order cancelling the no-objection certificate of 1724 industries, till further orders.

Nainital HC Stays PCN Order Cancelling No-Objection Certificates Of Firms

Nainital: Nainital is fully prepared for the celebration of the New Year. Tourists have arrived in Nainital on New Year's Eve and accordingly, hotels have made special arrangements for them.
"Love coming to Nainital on December 31 despite the crowd," said Mehak Advani, a tourist.
"We are fond of hill stations and came to see snowfall. Not being able to see snow is disappointing. We are here to spend some time together. It's a very beautiful place. We plan to start our new year in Nainital," said Hitanshi Sharma, a tourist, who came along with her group.
The police have also made special arrangements with the traffic plan. The municipality has also made arrangements to save the tourists from the cold.
"The traffic flow is normal currently. Just in case traffic increases, tourists will be stopped at the Rusi By-Pass and will be brought up using shuttles," said Deepak Bisht, SSI Kotwali Nainital
"Those commuters who have not made the bookings would be returned from Kaladhungi and Tiraha," Deepak Bisht added.
Around 6 pm the areas between Ghoda Stand and Mall Road shall be closed. After this, the movement of cars would not be allowed on the mall road, he further informed.
Notably, the municipality has also made arrangements to protect tourists from the cold.&nbsp;
—ANI

 Nainital is fully prepared for the celebration of the New Year. Tourists have arrived in Nainital on New Year's Eve and accordingly, hotels have made special arrangements for them.

Tourists Throng Uttarakhand's Nainital For New Year Celebrations

Dehradun: A tiger cub has gone missing from Bhowali range of Nainital forest division, officials said on Monday.
It was last seen around 20 days ago between Thapli Mehar and Chunautiya villages in the range spread over 354 hectares, they said. Camera traps were installed in the area afterwards but they have not yet spotted the tiger cub, Nainital DFO Chandra Shekhar Joshi said.
It is likely that the tiger cub got separated from its family, strayed into Bhowali range from the neighbouring Marora range which is considered a very suitable habitat for tigers and then went back, he said. However, the entire range is under surveillance and villagers in the area have been alerted, Joshi said. —PTI

A tiger cub has gone missing from Bhowali range of Nainital forest division, officials said on Monday.

Uttarakhand Tiger Cub Goes Missing In Nainital Forest Division

Nainital: Nainital High Court has issued a notice of contempt to the district magistrate of Rudraprayag, Saurabh Gaharwar, for disobeying the order on maintaining sanitation at the Kedarnath Yatra track. Hearing a contempt petition filed by animal welfare activist Gauri Maulekhi, Justice Ravindra Maithani asked the DM to respond on the mechanism, which has been put in place to regularly check the cleanliness both on the route as well as in Kedarnath town. The DM was also asked to take stock on where cleanliness was ensured by manual labourers or mechanical devices were deployed. It was also indicated in the order that the court may appoint a commissioner to physically check if any mechanism has been put in place to maintain sanitation. In 2013, the management of the Kedarnath Yatra was taken over by the district magistrate from Zila Panchayat on the pretext that the latter was not discharging its duties regarding maintenance of the track and sanitation issues that arise out of the use of horses and mules. In 10 years, the issue of sanitation has continued to be grave and has, in fact, worsened with carcasses of animals and slush from dung and animal urine making the Yatra a perilous and filthy experience for pedestrians, the petition said. According to the petition, 2.5 lakh kilograms of dung and 1.5 litres of urine is generated by 14,000 equines and their carcasses are strewn along the Yatra track. “The mountain, the people and the animals simply cannot sustain such abuse. Either the government make arrangements to manage the lakhs of kilograms of dung and urine, or reduce the number of horses used for rides to Kedarnath”, it added. —ANI

Nainital High Court has issued a notice of contempt to the district magistrate of Rudraprayag, Saurabh Gaharwar

Nainital HC Issues Contempt Notice To Rudraprayag DM Over Maintaining Sanitation On Kedarnath Route

Haldwani: A man who allegedly threatened to ''blow up Nainital'' last October has been arrested from Andhra Pradesh, police said on Wednesday. The accused was arrested from Andhra Pradesh by the Special Task Force of Uttarakhand Police and brought to Haldwani on Wednesday, Senior Superintendent of Police (Nainital) Pankaj Bhatt said. The accused Nitin Sharma has changed his religion now and calls himself Khalid, he said. He was brought to BD Pandey Hospital here for a medical examination. On October 4, 2022, Sharma sent a threat to the official Instagram page of Nainital Police, Bhatt said. ''We will blast bombs in different parts of Nainital within 24 hours, all the bombs will blast and Hijbul Mujahideen takes the responsibility,'' Sharma had written. A case was registered against him at Tallital police station under the IT Act and a search undertaken. Sharma originally hails from Delhi. He has converted to Islam and calls himself Khalid, Bhatta added. —PTI

A man who allegedly threatened to ''blow up Nainital'' last October has been arrested from Andhra Pradesh

Man Who Threatened To 'Blow Up Nainital' In 2022 Arrested From Andhra

Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh): Eight people were charred to death after a horrific head-to-head collision between a dumper and a car on the Bareilly-Nainital Highway, in the Bhojipura police station area of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday night, officials said. According to eyewitnesses, the car suffered a tyre burst resulting in a head-on collision with a dumper coming from Uttarakhand.
The collision was followed by a loud explosion as the two vehicles went up in flames, sources said, adding that locals residing nearby rushed out of their homes and informed the police.  A police team soon arrived at the spot after receiving word of the accident and fire tenders were brought in to douse the flames. However, the trapped occupants of the car were burnt alive as the doors were locked from inside. The two occupants of the dumper were critically injured, officials said. The local Special Superintendent of Police (SSP) confirmed the death of all eight occupants of the car, saying the vehicle was headed from Bareilly to Baheri. The SSP informed that the police took possession of the bodies and sent them for post-mortem, adding that a child was also among the deceased.
—ANI

Eight people were charred to death after a horrific head-to-head collision between a dumper and a car on the Bareilly-Nainital Highway

Uttar Pradesh: Eight burnt alive after car suffers tyre burst, rams dumper head-on on highway

Nainital (Uttarakhand): Four people died and over 100 police personnel were injured after violence erupted in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area on Thursday during an anti-encroachment drive, a senior official said. "Four people died in the violence-hit Banbhoolpura and more than 100 policemen were injured," said State ADG Law &amp; Order AP Anshuman.
Following the unrest, the district administration suspended internet services and ordered the closure of all schools and colleges. "Internet services suspended after violence in Banbhoolpura of Haldwani in which so far 4 people have died and more than 100 policemen were injured. The administration has also ordered the closure of all schools and colleges," Nainital District Administration. Uttarakhand government has put high alert in the state as a precaution after the violence. Earlier, four companies of paramilitary forces were rushed to Haldwani in Nainital district after violence erupted on Thursday in Banbhoolpura during an anti-encroachment drive. According to the Uttarakhand Police, two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) from Udham Singh Nagar also reached Haldwani.
Watch Video: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thehawk/posts/pfbid02FYqivXHc7qJZ1RtBCKSSZeLJRtG7mAFsdiVJnFmrAFuhGrDR6c444KkqrpShDzeTl" target="_self">https://www.facebook.com/thehawk/posts/pfbid02FYqivXHc7qJZ1RtBCKSSZeLJRtG7mAFsdiVJnFmrAFuhGrDR6c444KkqrpShDzeTl</a>&nbsp;
Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Inspector General Nilesh Anand Bharne, the spokesperson for Police Headquarters, said, "Four companies of paramilitary personnel have been sent to the violence-hit area of Haldwani. Two companies of PAC from Udham Singh Nagar have already reached Haldwani." A curfew has been enforced in Banbhoolpura on the orders of the District Magistrate and a shoot-at-sight order has also been issued against 'rioters'. Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar informed that a request was made to the Ministry of Home Affairs to send additional central paramilitary personnel. "Around 4 pm today, a joint team from the district administration and police was conducting an anti-encroachment drive in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani, as per the court's order. Coming out against the drive, a few miscreants pelted stones at the officials and also indulged in arson. It was also alleged that they opened fire at the police using illegal firearms," DGP Kumar said.
"The state government has also demanded that the MHA provide additional police forces. The MHA has, so far, made four companies of additional central forces available to us," Kumar added. He added, however, that the situation was under control. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami urged people to maintain peace.
—ANI

Violence in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura claims 4 lives, injures 100+ police. Internet services suspended, schools closed. Uttarakhand on high alert. Chief Minister appeals for peace.

Uttarakhand: 4 dead, over 100 police personnel injured in Haldwani violence, internet suspended, schools closed

Nainital: Security has been heightened in the violence-hit area of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after violence broke out in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani, on Thursday, following an anti-encroachment drive. Expressing deep concern over the Haldwani violence incident Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh termed the incident as unfortunate and assured that the accused will be identified and strict action will be taken against them.
Singh emphasized that the incident was not communal in nature and urged everyone to refrain from making it a communal or sensitive issue. She clarified that no particular community was involved in the retaliation. "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. Nainital DM Vandana Singh addressed the media on Friday, providing details about the violence in Haldwani following an anti-encroachment drive."According to official information till now, two people have died," DM Singh confirmed. Refuting claims of the property being a Madrasa, the DM specified that it was an empty property. "It is an empty property that has two structures, which are not registered as religious structure or has been given any such recognition. Some call the structure a Madrasa," she said. The DM said the demolition drive started peacefully but stones were pelted on the Municipal Corporation's team. The DM said the attack on the forces was planned. "The demolition drive started peacefully, the force was deployed for prevention...Stones were pelted on our Municipal Corporation's team...It was planned that the day the demolition drive will be conducted the forces would be attacked...The first mob with stones were dispersed &amp; the second mob that came in had petrol bombs. This was unprovoked and our team did not use any force..." she said. "You can see (in the video) that the police force and the administration are not provoking or harming anybody," she added. The DM said, after the HC's order, action has been taken against encroachment at various places. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted at a particular asset. "After the HC's order action has been taken against encroachment at various places in Haldwani...Everyone was given notice and time for hearing...Some did approach the HC some were given time while some were not given time. Where time was not given demolition drive was conducted by PWD &amp; Municipal Corporation. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted to a particular asset," she said. "We decided to continue the demolition drive because there was no stay on the assets...A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too...Our teams and resources moved and nobody was provoked or harmed...No actions were taken (by Police and administration) to cause harm to life and property...The demolition drive began peacefully...Despite the entire process being carried out properly, a large mob, within half an hour attacked our municipal cooperation team," she said. Further the DM claimed, Efforts were made (by the mob) to terrorize the area... Our priority was to protect the police station and then ensure that no loss of life or property occurred in Gandhi Nagar "Maximum force was used for the protest of the police station...As soon as they (the mob) were dispersed from the police station, they headed to the Gandhi Nagar area...People from all communities and religions stay there...Efforts were made (by the mob) to terrorize the area...Our priority was to protect the police station and then ensure that no loss of life or property occurred in Gandhi Nagar...Our efforts were directed to protect the main city of Haldwani," she said. The Dm said, tear gas and water cannons were used only to safeguard the police station. "Later, the police station was surrounded by the mob and those inside the police station were not allowed to come out. They were first pelted with stones and then attacked by petrol bombs. The vehicles outside the station were set on fire, &amp; due to the smoke, there was suffocation due to the smoke...Tear gas and water cannons were used only to safeguard the police station," she said. Two people died and over 100 police personnel were injured after violence erupted in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area on Thursday during an anti-encroachment drive. Following the unrest, the district administration suspended internet services and ordered the closure of all schools and colleges. The state government has issued a high alert for the entire state after the incident. "A high alert has been issued in the entire state after the violence in Banbhoolpura of Haldwani," said the Uttarakhand Government.&nbsp;
—ANI

Violence erupts in Haldwani, Uttarakhand after anti-encroachment drive. Nainital DM assures action. Internet suspended, schools closed. State on high alert.

Haldwani Violence: DM says incident not communal, demolition peaceful, mob attacked force

Nainital: Following violent clashes that erupted on Thursday night after an anti-encroachment drive, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, DGP Abhinav Kumar, and ADG Law &amp; Order AP Anshuman reached Haldwani on Friday to assess the situation. The state government issued a high alert across the state on Friday, and security was tightened in Banbhoolpura.Meanwhile, the district administration has ordered the suspension of internet services and the closure of all schools and colleges. Expressing deep concern over the Haldwani violence incident, Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh termed the incident unfortunate and assured that the accused will be identified and strict action will be taken against them. Singh emphasized that the incident was not communal and urged everyone to refrain from making it a communal or sensitive issue. She clarified that no particular community was involved in the retaliation. "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. Nainital DM Vandana Singh said this while addressing the media on Friday, providing details about the incident. "According to official information till now, two people have died," DM Singh said. Refuting claims of the property being a Madrasa, the DM specified that it was an empty property. "It is an empty property that has two structures, which are not registered as religious structures or have been given any such recognition. Some call the structure a Madrasa," she said.The DM said the demolition drive started peacefully but stones were pelted at the Municipal Corporation's team. The DM said the attack on the forces was planned. "The demolition drive started peacefully, the force was deployed for prevention...Stones were pelted on our Municipal Corporation's team...It was planned that the day the demolition drive will be conducted the forces would be attacked...The first mob with stones were dispersed &amp; the second mob that came in had petrol bombs. This was unprovoked and our team did not use any force..." she said. "You can see (in the video) that the police force and the administration are not provoking or harming anybody," she added. The DM said, after the HC's order, action has been taken against encroachment at various places. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted at a particular asset. "After the HC's order action has been taken against encroachment at various places in Haldwani...Everyone was given notice and time for hearing...Some did approach the HC some were given time while some were not given time. Where time was not given demolition drive was conducted by PWD &amp; Municipal Corporation. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted to a particular asset," she said. The DM claimed that despite the "peaceful" demolition drive, a large mob attacked the municipal team. "We decided to continue the demolition drive because there was no stay on the assets... A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too...Our teams and resources moved and nobody was provoked or harmed...No actions were taken (by Police and administration) to cause harm to life and property...The demolition drive began peacefully...Despite the entire process being carried out properly, a large mob, within half an hour, attacked our municipal cooperation team," she said. Further, the DM claimed efforts were made by the mob to terrorize the area... Our priority was to protect the police station and then ensure that no loss of life or property occurred in Gandhi Nagar "Maximum force was used for the protest of the police station...As soon as they (the mob) were dispersed from the police station, they headed to the Gandhi Nagar area...People from all communities and religions stay there...Efforts were made (by the mob) to terrorize the area...Our priority was to protect the police station and then ensure that no loss of life or property occurred in Gandhi Nagar...Our efforts were directed to protect the main city of Haldwani," she said. The DM said that the mob surrounded a police station, trapping those inside. The mob attacked with stones and petrol bombs, setting vehicles on fire. "Later, the police station was surrounded by the mob and those inside the police station were not allowed to come out. They were first pelted with stones and then attacked by petrol bombs. The vehicles outside the station were set on fire, and due to the smoke, there was suffocation due to the smoke...Tear gas and water cannons were used only to safeguard the police station," she said.
—ANI

Nainital officials evaluate Haldwani situation post clashes. High alert in state. DM clarifies incident, refutes communal claims.

Haldwani violence: Top officials rush to assess situation

Dehradun: Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar on Friday said action under the stringent National Security Act will be taken against those who attacked police personnel and indulged in arson and vandalism in Haldwani.
The DGP along with ADG (law and order) AP Anshuman visited the violence-hit town in Nainital district to assess the situation in consultation with senior officials.  "Action under the NSA will be taken against unruly elements who attacked police personnel, and indulged in arson and vandalism at the police station in Banbhoolpura," he said.
The situation has been brought under control to a large extent with the imposition of curfew but the efforts at the moment are focused on bringing back normalcy in the town within the next 24 hours, DGP Kumar said.  Kumar held a meeting with district officials in Haldwani to get their feedback on the situation and visited the hospitals where the injured were admitted and the police station which was torched and vandalised by miscreants.  A high alert has been sounded across the state following violence in Haldwani that broke out after the demolition of an illegally-built madrasa and a place for offering namaz inside its premises in Malik ka Bageecha area in the Muslim-dominated Banbhoolpura locality.  Two people were killed and three critically injured in the Thursday violence.
—PTI

Uttarakhand DGP invokes National Security Act after Haldwani violence. Curfew imposed, striving for normalcy in 24 hours. Two dead, three critically injured in Thursday unrest.

NSA will be invoked against those who attacked police in Haldwani, says DGP

Nainital: Authorities have temporarily relaxed curfew in Banbhoolpura of Haldwani City, which was imposed following violence, that broke out on February 8 after an "illegal structure" was demolished as part of an anti-encroachment drive. "However, night curfew will continue from 8pm to 6am in Gaujajali, FSI, Godown area. The night curfew will continue in the rest of the areas under Banbhoolpura police station from 5pm to 6am," Nanital Police posted on X. The curfew was imposed and the administration issued shoot-at-sight orders after stone-pelting incidents, torching of vehicles and a mob surrounded the local police station following the anti-encroachment drive. Meanwhile, yesterday, Additional Director General (ADG), Administration, Amit Sinha, reached the site of the violence in Banbhoolpura and took stock of the newly established police post. During his visit, the ADG reviewed security arrangements in the area. The ADG discussed in detail the proposal regarding the prescribed standards required for the new police station and gave the officers concerned the necessary directions to improve the security arrangements. As many as 30 people have been arrested, in connection with the Haldwani violence. Houses of the father-son duo, Abdul Malik and Abdul Moeed, who were wanted in the Banbhoolpura violence, were on Friday attached by the authorities in Haldwani. During the action, police and administration teams including Harbans Singh Superintendant of Police Haldwani City, Sangeeta CO Lalkuan, Sachin Tehsildar Haldwani, DR Verma in-charge Inspector Lalkuan, Nandan Singh Rawat Police Station Head Kaladhungi were present at the spot. Earlier, the Haldwani Civil Court had issued orders to confiscate the property of nine miscreants, including Abdul Malik and his son, the alleged masterminds of the violence. The court has permitted the police to take action against all the accused under sections 82, and 83 of CrPC. On Tuesday, the civil court issued non-bailable warrants against all nine accused. The development came days after the Municipal Corporation in Haldwani issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against the key accused Malik asking him to deposit the money to cover damage caused to government property during the violence. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had earlier said that there is no room for 'miscreants' in the state. Uttarakhand Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar also stressed that recent "violent" clashes were not "communal." The clashes and violence left five people dead and dozens injured. Several countrymade weapons and live rounds were recovered from those arrested, police said. The state government had asked the Centre for four additional companies of paramilitary forces to be deployed in the district.
—ANI&nbsp;&nbsp;

Authorities in Nainital temporarily ease curfew in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani, after anti-encroachment drive sparks violence. Dozens arrested.

Uttarakhand: Curfew in Haldwani relaxed temporarily

Nainital: Authorities have completely abolished curfew in Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani City, which was imposed following violence, that broke out on February 8 after an "illegal structure" was demolished as part of an anti-encroachment drive. This came after the Nainital District Magistrate issued an order and in view of the current circumstances, curfew has been abolished in the Banbhoolpura area as of 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Earlier, the curfew was imposed and the administration issued shoot-at-sight orders after stone-pelting incidents, torching of vehicles and a mob surrounded the local police station following the anti-encroachment drive. Meanwhile, yesterday, Additional Director General (ADG), Administration, Amit Sinha, reached the site of the violence in Banbhoolpura and took stock of the newly established police post. During his visit, the ADG reviewed security arrangements in the area. The ADG discussed in detail the proposal regarding the prescribed standards required for the new police station and gave the officers concerned the necessary directions to improve the security arrangements. As many as 30 people have been arrested, in connection with the Haldwani violence. Houses of the father-son duo, Abdul Malik and Abdul Moeed, who were wanted in the Banbhoolpura violence, were on Friday attached by the authorities in Haldwani. During the action, police and administration teams including Harbans Singh Superintendant of Police Haldwani City, Sangeeta CO Lalkuan, Sachin Tehsildar Haldwani, DR Verma in-charge Inspector Lalkuan, Nandan Singh Rawat Police Station Head Kaladhungi were present at the spot. Earlier, the Haldwani Civil Court had issued orders to confiscate the property of nine miscreants, including Abdul Malik and his son, the alleged masterminds of the violence. The court has permitted the police to take action against all the accused under sections 82, and 83 of CrPC. On Tuesday, the civil court issued non-bailable warrants against all nine accused. The development came days after the Municipal Corporation in Haldwani issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against the key accused Malik asking him to deposit the money to cover damage caused to government property during the violence. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had earlier said that there is no room for 'miscreants' in the state. Uttarakhand Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar also stressed that recent "violent" clashes were not "communal." The clashes and violence left five people dead and dozens injured. Several countrymade weapons and live rounds were recovered from those arrested, police said. The state government had asked the Centre for four additional companies of paramilitary forces to be deployed in the district. —ANI

Authorities have completely abolished curfew in Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani City, which was imposed following violence

Nainital District Magistrate Issues Order To Abolish Curfew In Banbhoolpura Area

Nainital: The Uttarakhand Police on Thrusday arrested one absconding accused, Abdul Moeed, in the violence that took place in Banbhulpura, Haldwani, on February 8. "Nainital Police have arrested one absconding accused, Abdul Moeed, from Delhi in the Banphoolpura violence case," Senior Superintendent of Police Nainital, Prahlad Meena said. Till now, a total of 84 miscreants have been sent behind bars, police said. Meanwhile, the Sessions Court in Haldwani on February 25 placed Abdul Malik, the prime suspect in the Haldwani violence, in police custody until March 6. The accused was presented before the Haldwani court on Saturday night. The case is scheduled for further proceedings following this period. On Saturday, Uttarakhand police arrested the key accused in the violence that took place in Banbhulpura, Haldwani, on February 8. State Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar had announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for the Uttarakhand Police team that arrested Abdul Malik from Delhi, spokesperson IG Nilesh Bharne said. The authorities had said that the violence had broken out during an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani. Stone-pelting incidents, torching of vehicles, and a mob surrounding the local police station were witnessed during the violence. To contain the situation, the administration had to issue a shoot-at-sight order in the area. The Municipal Corporation here issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against Abdul Malik, a key accused in the violence at Haldwani, asking him to deposit the money to cover damage caused to government property during the clash. In the violence, four people were killed and 250 policemen were injured. According to the police, the mob burned down Banbhulpura police station. A curfew was imposed in the entire town for two days. —ANI

The Uttarakhand Police on Thrusday arrested one absconding accused, Abdul Moeed, in the violence that took place in Banbhulpura, Haldwani, on February 8

Uttarakhand: Haldwani Violence Accused Abdul Moeed Arrested In Delhi

Dehradun: Eight people, including seven Nepalese nationals, died when their vehicle fell into a 150-foot-deep gorge in Nainital district of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, police said.
Two Nepalese nationals were injured in the accident that occurred near Betalghat, they said.  After receiving information about the accident, a State Disaster Response Team (SDRF) team rushed to the spot. The SDRF team along with locals and police personnel retrieved eight bodies. The injured were rushed to the hospital, police said.  The vehicle was carrying nine Nepalese nationals, all residents of Mahendranagar. They were headed home when the accident took place. The driver, Rajendra Kumar, who was among those killed, was a resident of Betalghat, they said.
—PTI

Tragic accident in Uttarakhand's Nainital district claims 8 lives, including 7 from Nepal, as vehicle falls into a gorge. SDRF and locals respond promptly.

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