Tension gripped Haridwar district’s Landhaura area on Wednesday after the relatives of BJP leader Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion attempted to vacate a few shops run by a particular community, which led to stone-pelting and some police vehicles being set on fire.
“The police had to resort to lathicharge and firing in the air to control the situation. A few police personnel and some others were injured in the violence. All were rushed to the hospital,” IG Garhwal Range Sanjay Gunjyal said.
The mob later continued the stone-pelting at Mr Champion’s home and set his vehicles on fire. Mr Champion is a former “rebel” Congress MLA who recently joined the BJP.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat said, “Some people are creating this atmosphere [of violence] in an otherwise peaceful Haridwar to gain political mileage. Strict action will be taken against them.”
