The Uttarakhand High Court has urged the state government to maintain law and order and ensure that no harm is inflicted on people’s property in light of the upcoming Purola mahapanchayat. The order comes in the midst of communal tensions related to an alleged act of abduction of a minor girl last month in Uttarakhand’s Purola town. The court ordered organisations to obtain permission from the government for holding dharnas, demonstrations, rallies, and meetings. It also cautioned the groups against creating a ruckus on national television and social media to maintain peace.
The state government has been given a three-week deadline to file its response to the court’s notice. Furthermore, the Uttarkashi District Magistrate was mandated to take rigorous action if there is a law and order problem in Purola. The Chief Minister of the state has emphasized that no one will be permitted to take the law into their hands, and the administration will deal with such incidents. He has requested people to maintain peace and let the law take its action against any guilty parties.
The Uttarkashi district administration did not permit a proposed Mahapanchayat on June 15, triggering communal tensions in the region. The government has asked all parties to maintain peace and has responded appropriately to such incidents in the past. The state government has advised everyone to respect the law and not to initiate any violent acts as it would have severe consequences.
