Police Under Attack: Haldwani Mob Violence Claims Lives of Young Men, India

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar expressed his suspicion that the violence that took place in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura may have been a premeditated plot. Kumar revealed that for five hours, the police in Banbhoolpura were under siege, with a riotous mob surrounding their station and hurling petrol bombs. He also mentioned that the violence could not have been spontaneous, considering the number of petrol bombs, stones, and crude weapons used. The DGP argued that the police may have missed the extent of the accused’s mobilization. He clarified that the police acted lawfully to defend themselves during the incident and rejected allegations of provocation. The investigation is ongoing, with the police analyzing CCTV footage and mobile videos to identify the perpetrators. Furthermore, the identities of those involved will be cross-verified with their Aadhaar IDs to ensure accuracy. The DGP revealed that, except for one person caught in the crossfire, all those who died were suspected to be part of the violent mob. The police were in Banbhoolpura to support an anti-encroachment drive when they were attacked. The high court had not granted any relief to the main accused, Abdul Malik, who appeared in a video arguing with the police. The DGP emphasized that the police would act without bias and in full accordance with the law. The investigation and inquiry will determine the facts and provide evidence in support of the police’s actions.