Dehra Dun : The situation in Rudrapur, in the Terai region of Uttarakhand was tense following violent clashes between members of two communities this morning, which left at least 30 persons, including 12 police personnel and the SDM of the area, injured, while a number of vehicles, official and civil, were set afire by mobs that seem to have gone berserk.
Even as heavy police deployment from adjoining places was sent immediately to the area to beef the security, but lack of adequate equipment with the police party, the men in uniform were hardly able to tackle the situation, which almost seemed to be going out of hand.
With the mobs being armed to their teeth with not only swords, kripans, sticks, but also guns, they moved about freely setting fire to vehicles and destroying public property. Senior district officials rushed to the spot and messages were sent for armed police so that the situation could be brought under control.
Official sources said that the violence flared this morning following aggressive speeches by members of a community who were taking exception to the fact that the culprits who had desecrated their holy book about a fortnight back had not been arrested so far. They accused the concerned district authorities of a lackadaisical approach and not wanting to bring the culprits to book.
Following the aggressive speeches some of the group took to violence, which was objected to by members of the other community and soon it was free for all, with members of both communities indulging in violence and.
Meanwhile, it was alleged that the situation had also taken political overtones as elections to vidhan sabha in Uttarakhand are slated for Feb next year and two arch political rivals of the area were said to be spearheading the members of the communities with political gains in mind.
A journalist with over 40 years of experience, Jagdish Bhatt was Editor, Hill Post (Uttarakhand).
Jagdish had worked with India’s leading English dailies, which include Times of India, Indian Express, Pioneer and several other reputed publications. A highly acclaimed journalist, he was a recipient of many awards
Jagdish Bhatt, aged 72, breathed his last on 28th August 2021 at his Dehradun residence.
