By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Jul: A potential law & order issue has been averted by Haridwar Police in Bodaheri village under Pathri police station limits after drone surveillance revealed large quantities of bricks and stones stockpiled on the rooftops of several houses, allegedly in preparation for a fresh clash between two rival groups. In all, 9 people have been held, all belonging to a particular community.
The dispute, which stemmed from a seemingly minor disagreement over a drain and water outlet, between two groups of villagers had escalated into a violent confrontation between the two sides earlier this week. Following the incident, the police have registered separate FIRs on complaints lodged by both the groups. However, tension continues to prevail in the village, prompting the police to maintain close surveillance over the area.
Acting under ‘Operation Prahar’, Haridwar Police deployed drone cameras to monitor the village and prevent any further deterioration in the situation. During the aerial surveillance, the drone footage exposed large piles of bricks and stones stored on the rooftops of several houses. The Police officials suspected that the material had been accumulated for possible use in the event of another violent confrontation with the other group.
Taking immediate preventive action, the police directed the occupants of the houses to remove the bricks and stones without delay. Nine persons from both groups have been subsequently detained and booked under preventive provisions relating to breach of peace. The timely action by the police is claimed to have prevented a potentially serious incident. Although both the groups belong to the same community, the police acted with caution and restraint to ensure that the situation did not spiral out of control.
According to the police, the dispute between the two groups of villagers had originated a few days ago over the issue of a drain and water drainage. The disagreement intensified yesterday when a large number of people from both sides assembled and confronted each other. The confrontation allegedly resulted in a violent scuffle and stone-pelting before police personnel reached the spot, intervened and brought the situation under control. Cases were subsequently registered at Pathri Police Station on complaints filed by both sides.
In view of the continuing tension, the police maintained a close watch over the village. Intelligence inputs and information received through local sources indicated that another clash could take place at any time. Acting on these inputs, Pathri Station House Officer Ravindra Singh, accompanied by a police team, carried out drone surveillance across the village. The aerial inspection of rooftops and surrounding areas revealed substantial quantities of bricks and stones stored at several locations, raising fears that they could be used during any future disturbance.
The police investigation found that the dispute was between the groups led by Gulzar and Asgar over the issue of drainage. On receiving information that both sides had again begun preparing for a confrontation by stockpiling bricks and stones on their rooftops, police rushed to the village. Despite repeated efforts to counsel both groups and restore normalcy, the rival sides remained adamant. The police then brought them to the police station, where nine persons from both groups were booked under preventive provisions for breach of peace and warned against indulging in any further acts of violence.
Pathri SHO Ravindra Singh has confirmed that during drone surveillance, large quantities of bricks and stones were found on the rooftops of several houses. Keeping in view the earlier dispute and the possibility of renewed violence, nine persons from both groups were taken into preventive custody and booked for breach of peace. He added that all those detained had been challaned and both the groups had been issued a clear warning that any future incident involving fighting, assault or stone-pelting would invite much stricter legal action.
Singh further stated that under ‘Operation Prahar’, Haridwar Police has been carrying out drone surveillance in sensitive villages and dispute-prone areas to detect any attempt to disturb law and order at an early stage and take timely preventive measures.
Those booked from the first group include Gulzar, son of Akbar, aged 40 years, and Mujammil, son of Akbar, aged 20 years, both residents of Bodaheri village under Pathri Police Station.
Those booked from the second group include Asgar, son of Kasim, aged 40 years; Subhan, son of Noora, aged 26 years; Afsan, son of Ilyas, aged 21 years; Raheesh, son of Kasim, aged 35 years; Farman, son of Yameen, aged 42 years; Nadeem, son of Kamil, aged 21 years; and Akbar, son of Kasim, aged 53 years. All are residents of Bodaheri village under Pathri Police Station in Haridwar district.
Following the preventive action, the police have appealed to residents of Bodaheri village to maintain peace, communal harmony and mutual understanding. The police also reiterated that stringent action would continue to be taken against anyone attempting to disturb public order or endanger public safety.
