Uttarakhand cabinet clears ordinance to make rioters pay for damage

According to a statement issued by the state government, if anyone gets injured during a riot, the entire cost of treatment will also be recovered from those responsible. Apart from this, all expenses incurred during the riot – on the police, administration, and other riot control agencies – will also be recovered.

The Cabinet has also approved setting up a formal Claims Tribunal to deal with such cases and recover compensation. The members of the tribunal will include a retired judge, and an Additional District Magistrate-category officer will be given the responsibility of Claims Commissioner.

Under the ordinance, when a case is registered for causing damage to government or private property, the Circle Officer (CO) concerned will send his report to the District Magistrate. The Claims Tribunal will then assess the loss, after which the recovery will be made from those deemed responsible for the damage.

“Since the state legislature is not currently in session, the Governor has the authority to implement this law in the state by using the powers conferred by Clause 1 of Article 213 of the Constitution of India. After the approval of the Governor, the law will come into force… No one has the freedom to spoil the law-and-order situation in Devbhoomi,” the government’s statement said.

“We have approved strict laws to deal with rioters. The rioters will be punished and full compensation for the loss will be made. This law will be strictly enforced in the state,” the statement said.

The move comes less than a month after the demolition of a mosque and a madrasa during an anti-encroachment drive in Nainital district’s Haldwani triggered protests and violence, in which five people were killed.

During the violence, people resorted to pelting stones and burning cars, and the local police station was surrounded by a mob. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami had later announced that the cost of damaged property would be recovered by those involved in the violence.

The district administration also asked media persons whose vehicles were damaged during the violence to inform them so that the cost of the damage could be recovered from the accused.

The Haldwani Municipal Corporation sent a notice to the main accused in the case, Abdul Malik, asking him to deposit Rs 2.44 crore to cover the damage caused to government property during the violence.