Authorities arrested five people and three FIRs were registered against 19 identified persons and about 5,000 unidentified people, in the February 8 violence that broke out after an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura area.

Five people died in the violence that erupted after the anti-encroachment drive on Thursday, following which a curfew was imposed in the area. The three FIRs were registered on Friday, and police stressed that there was no fresh violence and that the situation was under control. State additional director general of police (law & order) AP Anshuman said, “The situation in Haldwani is normal, curfew has been lifted. Curfew continues in Banbhoolpura. Three FIRs have been registered and five people have been arrested…CCTV footage is being checked…Five people died and three people were seriously injured. Several police officials have also been injured…” The police said they have taken many people into custody and searches have begun and miscreants are being identified. Senior superintendent of police Nainital PN Meena also said that three cases were registered in which 19 people have been named and 5,000 unknown people have also been included in the cases. Security personnel have been deployed in parts of the violence-hit area after clashes erupted on Thursday night following the anti-encroachment drive. Yesterday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Haldwani and said the attack on police personnel, including women officers, was highly condemnable. The Chief Minister also inquired about the condition of the women police team and other policemen, administration, municipal corporation personnel, and journalists who were injured in the violence.

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