By Arun Pratap Singh
Haldwani/Dehradun, 9 Feb: The violence indulged in by members of a particular community in Banphoolpura area of Haldwani city, which led to injuries to at least 300 persons including a large number of police officials, municipal officials and even the journalists and common people, did not happen unexpectedly. Several questions arise regarding the level of preparation and the functioning of the police in this incident. The most crucial question is – why did the administration show haste to initiate the demolition exercise without adequate ground preparation?
It is learnt that there were apprehensions and intelligence inputs of possible violence in reaction to the anti-encroachment drive of the administration. Yet, the Police and the district administration failed to gauge the possible extent of the violence, which is indicative of inept handling of the anti-encroachment action regarding sensitive spots.
When the notices to the encroachers had been issued as early as 30 January to vacate the encroachments in three days, and the encroachers had not obliged, possibility of a strong reaction to the coming demolition action should have been not only anticipated but fully prepared for.
Adequate police force should have been deputed armed with anti-riot equipment and weapons. Instead, a large number of female police personnel without any weapons or adequate protective gear was deployed. Sources claimed that the demolition action ought to have begun early morning instead of late evening.
In her press conference, District Magistrate Vandana Singh claimed that the video footage revealed there were no stones on the roofs of the rioters on 30 January when the notices were served. This means that the administration had apprehension of possible violence. The question therefore also arises how did the police and the local administration not notice stones for pelting being stocked during the intervening period as the administration was planning to carry out the demolition exercise. Why could drones not be used to gauge the situation before beginning the exercise? Sources state that while some local police had been on alert and had been patrolling the area, most of the police officials deputed for demolition duty were outsiders who were not well versed with the geography of the narrow lanes and by-lanes in the area and were easily trapped by rioters during the violence yesterday. The police team which began chasing the miscreants as soon as the stone pelting started after the beginning of the demolition exercise, were confused about the geography and surrounded on all sides by the miscreants resulting in serious injuries to many. A large number of female police personnel, who had bare minimum protective gear with them, were also seriously injured. Some managed to save their lives only because of help from some local women in the area.
According to experts, the police force sent to Banbhulpura had come from other districts or other police stations and had no idea about this area. Those injured included Richa Singh, City Magistrate, of Haldwani.
The incident of rioting and arson in Banbhulpura also exposed the weakness of the police intelligence system. LIU and Intelligence Department officers and employees keep roaming in Banbhoolpura every day, but could not even get a clue about what was to occur. It may be reminded here that Banphoolpura area is known as a highly sensitive area and has a police station also. Despite this, the rioters easily managed not only to attack the policemen but also burn the police station.
Even the local police, who patrol every day, could not understand the atmosphere due to which such a huge uproar took place. The intelligence system appeared active on the spot, but failed to detect the possibility of such a huge uproar. Although LIU officials were reported to be active in the area since last Wednesday, despite this the intelligence system could not gather any actual input. Due to which the lives of the police, administration and municipal corporation team stuck in the middle of Banbhulpura for action were put in danger.
When some local families tried to help the women police personnel by inviting them inside their homes during the stone pelting, the rioters attacked these houses as well and were seen knocking on the doors in an attempt to enter the houses.
The question now is whether Uttarakhand Police and the local administration have learned lessons from their current blunders. It is learnt that CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is not happy at all with the way this has been handled and some heads might roll soon.
