Uttarakhand CM meets injured policemen and other injured. Says even petrol bomb used by anti social elements. Harish Rawat appeals for peace and tranquility

The Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today visited Haldwani, riot affects area including meeting the injured policemen and others in the hospital and enquired about their health. The area DM, SDM and minister Rekha Arya were also with him. Speaking to media Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the action by the municipal authorities and the police was an anti encroachment drive and there have been several occasions when people have on their own removed the illegal encroachment cooperating with the authorities but in the case of Banphoolpura, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, the attack was premeditated and the anti social elements not only threw stones at the policemen but also used Kattaas, weapons and petrol bombs. He warned that the rioters would not be spared and severe action taken against them. They burnt the police station, injured policemen, and damaged several vehicles causing loss to government properties. Meanwhile, the former chief minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat said that what happened in Haldwani was extremely unfortunate. We are shameful that we’re born there. The history of Haldwani has been of amity, harmony, peace, brotherhood and progress. I would not go into the details as to who was responsible for this unfortunate incident but would appeal to every section of the society to maintain peace, amity and brotherhood which is the need of the hour. The chief minister held an urgent meeting with the chief secretary Radha Raturi and other senior officers especially the police officers. Meanwhile, the SSP of Nainital Prahalad Narayan Meena has, assured that the situation is under control and CRPF personnel have been deployed in the riot affected areas in adequate numbers. He said that a total of 1200 paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed and sufficient number of FIRs registered against the culprits. Till now over 6 people have succumbed to the injuries during the riots. It may be recalled that about fifty policemen have been injured in this riot including a SDM and over 100 vehicles damaged n burnt. Curfew is still clamped in Banphoolpura, Haldwani and the situation though tense is under control.