Nuh clashes: Demolition drive continues, SDM says structures razed of ‘some’ connected to violence

On Saturday, structures were brought down near Shaheed Hassan Khan Mewati Hospital in Nalhar, officials said. “Illegal construction was removed from 2.6 acres of land in front of Nalhar Medical College — over 45 illegal constructions and around 13-15 temporary illegal structures were demolished. Notices were already given to the owners of the demolished structures. The owners of some structures were also involved in the violence during the Braj Mandal yatra,” said SDM Kumar.

He did not respond to queries regarding when the notices were sent.

On Friday, scores of houses and shops on “encroached land” were demolished after the administration and the forest department

The administration has stated that more structures were demolished in Nuh’s Jakohpur.

A total of 56 FIRs have been registered with regard to the violence so far and 145 people arrested. Ten FIRs were registered for spreading rumours on social media, officials said.

Meanwhile, Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed called the demolitions arbitrary and undemocratic. “This is a bid to cover up the failure of the government. Authorities must not resort to bulldozer politics. We have demanded that the culprits be arrested and action taken by following legal procedure. They are even demolishing innocent people’s houses in the name of encroachment. All this action is against one community,” he said.

Curfew to be lifted for 3 hrs today

According to the administration, the curfew has been relaxed for the movement of the public from 9 am to 12 pm on Sunday. Further, internet services will remain suspended in Nuh till August 8.

SP (Nuh) Narendra Singh Bijarniya said the district police were capable of handling any kind of situation. He added that adequate police arrangements have been made near religious buildings at all intersections and crowded areas while an additional police force has been deployed to maintain law and order.

About 1,900 personnel of the district police and 28 companies have been deployed.

The SP also warned people not to spread false news, incite religious sentiments, make objectionable remarks on religion, caste, and class, or spread misleading information. A flag march by the police force was conducted to maintain law and order in the district, said SP Bijarniya.

Moreover, 8 teams formed under the supervision of senior officers are conducting raids in different areas to arrest suspects involved in the violence. He said there is no need for innocent individuals to be afraid, and the general public is encouraged to assist the police in arresting the guilty.

Additionally, an SIT comprising three DSP-level officers is investigating the cases. Internet services have been suspended in the district until August 5 as a precautionary measure, and the decision to restore them will be taken after assessing the situation.

In Gurgaon, police said it will initiate action against a group that allegedly gave provocative speeches during a march on Friday in defiance of restrictions on gatherings and protests. Residents of Pataudi, Heli Mandi as well as workers of some organisations marched under the banner of the ‘Sarva Hindu Samaj’.

Meanwhile, Hindu outfits have called for a panchayat in Gurgaon’s Tigra village Sunday where those accused of killing the Naib Imam of the Anjuman Jama Masjid reside. The VHP said the panchayat has been called to protest against the “unfair” arrest of “innocent” men “who held demonstrations across the city after the Nuh violence”.

Later in the day, Gurgaon Police Commissioner Kala Ramachandran said, “All actions taken by Gurugram Police, including arrests and detentions under preventive sections of law, have been executed based on substantial evidence against perpetrators involved in the commission of these crimes… Gurugram Police is focused towards the maintenance of law and order and seeks cooperation from all residents and community members to uphold peace and harmony of the region…”