Situation in Violence-Hit Haryana Normalising, State Chief Says

Haryana state chief Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that the "overall situation" in the northern Indian state is normal, reiterating that people found involved in the communal violence would face strict measures.

He said this while making a public appeal to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the communal violence has risen to six after a man, reportedly a Hindu group Bajrang Dal activist, succumbed to his injuries.

Talking to the media, Haryana's state chief said: “Six people including two Home Guards and four civilians have died in the incident. 116 people have been arrested till now. Their remand is being taken. Those found guilty will not be spared. We are committed to the safety of the public. The overall situation in the state is normal”.

On the other hand, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that the violence between the two groups appeared to be part of a larger conspiracy, and that a detailed investigation of the entire incident would be carried out.

Vij told media: “The situation in Nuh is under control...Around 41 First Information Reports have been registered and 116 people have been arrested till now in Nuh alone. There is a conspiracy behind this. The way stones, weapons, and bullets were found, it seems there is a mastermind behind this. We will conduct a detailed investigation and take strict actions against the people involved in this”.

Meanwhile, all schools and colleges in the Nuh district remain closed until further orders.

While talking to the media, Nuh Deputy Commissioner Prashant Pawar said: “At least 60 people were injured in Nuh during violence. To maintain peace, and law and order situation in the district, 14 companies of police force have been deployed while 10 duty magistrates and six special duty magistrates have also been appointed area wise by the district administration”.

Ripples of Communal Flare-Ups Reach Gurugram

On Tuesday, the after-effects of the communal tension in Nuh reached the Gurugram district, 47 km from the Nuh district. A shop and several shanties were set ablaze in the afternoon, while a mosque was set on fire and the deputy imam was found stabbed to death at night.

Following the incidents on Tuesday, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar prohibited the sale of loose petrol/diesel to any person (except for emergency purposes) in the district.

In another order, he said that all government and private educational institutions under the Sohna sub-division would remain closed on 2 August.

Meanwhile, Gurugram Assistant Commissioner of Police Varun Dahiya has urged people not to pay heed to rumours on social media and not to spread them.

VHP Protest Against Nuh Violence

India’s top Hindu advocacy group, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), is holding a nationwide protest against the violence that erupted in the Nuh district of Haryana.

In the wake of the protest, security has been beefed up in Delhi and adjoining states.

As per information, the protest has been planned at 23 places in Delhi and other locations in neighbouring states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, etc.

Talking on the protest, VHP spokesman Vinod Bansal told Sputnik: “The protest is against anti-social elements who try to instigate people in the name of religion especially belonging to one community".

Another Hindu group, Bajrang Dal, is also participating in the protest. Hundreds of members of both organizations have gathered in various parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and other states of the country.

However, the security in all places has been stepped up to avoid any untoward incident.

Violence broke out during a religious procession in Nuh on Monday, when a mob pelted stones at the VHP's “Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra”. After the violence, a curfew was imposed in the area and Internet services were snapped in Nuh as well as the neighbouring Gurugram, Sohna, Pataudi, and Manesar areas.

Political Affairs

Curfew Imposed, Internet Snapped in Haryana’s Nuh Following Communal Violence

1 August 2023, 17:35