In a breakthrough, Haldwani violence mastermind Abdul Malik was on Saturday arrested from New Delhi. So far 78 have been arrested in the February 8 violence that broke out over the demolition of an illegal madrasa in Banbhoolpura.
The accused have been charged with hatching a criminal conspiracy to mislead the government departments and the court on the basis of false affidavits.
State Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for the Uttarakhand Police team that arrested Abdul Malik from Delhi, spokesperson IG Nilesh Bharne said.A look-out notice against Malik and his son Abdul Moid was issued earlier and their property in the town attached. Malik had built the illegal madrasa and vehemently opposed its demolition, police said. His wife had even moved the court challenging the municipal corporation’s notice for demolition.
Violence broke out on February 8 over the demolition of an illegally built madrasa in the Banbhoolpura area.
Stone-pelting incidents, torching of vehicles, and a mob surrounding the local police station were witnessed during the violence. To contain the situation, the administration had to issue a shoot-at-sight order in the area.
The Municipal Corporation here issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against Abdul Malik, a key accused in the violence at Haldwani, asking him to deposit the money to cover damage caused to government property during the clash.
In the violence, four people were killed and 250 policemen were injured. According to the police, the mob burnt down Banbhulpura police station. A curfew had to be imposed in the entire town for two days.
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