Haryana communal violence updates | CM Khattar seeks additional central forces

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said the Rajasthan Police is free to act against Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar, booked in the February killing of two Muslim men and accused by some to be a trigger for the Nuh violence.

Mr. Khattar reminded that the last case against Manesar, a cow vigilante, was lodged by the Rajasthan Police.

At a press conference in Chandigarh, the chief minister while fielding questions on the communal violence in Nuh and Gurguram said, “The Rajasthan Police was looking for Monu Manesar. We do not have any input where he is now. The Rajasthan Police is free to act against him.” Mr.Khattar also said his government will provide any assistance they (Rajasthan Police) require to nab Manesar.

There were reports that Manesar, 30, was supposed to join the Vishva Hindu Parishad procession that was attacked in the Muslim-dominated Nuh on Monday.

A video of Manesar that he would join the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek procession in Nuh was widely circulated on social media.

Asked if that video could have instigated some people, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said, “I have seen that video, nowhere is he instigating people to riot...he is asking people to join the yatra.” Answering a query at a presser, state police chief P.K. Agrawal said on Wednesday an SIT will be formed to investigate the cases of communal violence in Haryana and the role of Manesar in the clashes is being probed. - PTI

Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh said it is a matter of inquiry as to how members of both communities involved in communal violence in Haryana’s Nuh were in possession of weapons.

The Gurgaon MP was speaking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr. Singh, however, said that his meeting with Mr. Modi was for extending an invitation to the prime minister for inaugurating several development projects, including an AIIMS, in the state.

Nuh is part of the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency.

Asked if he also discussed the Nuh violence with him, Mr. Singh said several matters are discussed when one meets the prime minister. “Everything is not meant to be shared with the media,” he said.

To a question about the violence, he said both communities (Hindus and Muslims) were in possession of weapons, citing videos of the riot.

“This is a matter of probe as to how they got possession of these weapons and how such an atmosphere was created,” he said, noting that the Haryana government is carrying out the investigation. - PTI

Mobile internet services will remain suspended in four tehsils of Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district till Thursday morning in view of the violence in Haryana’s Nuh district, officials said.

Prohibitory orders were imposed in two areas of Bharatpur and 10 areas of Alwar district in Rajasthan, they said. Both Alwar and Bharatpur share border with Nuh district in Haryana where communal violence erupted on Monday.

Bharatpur District Collector Lok Bandhu said mobile internet services have been suspended till 6 a.m. on Thursday in Sikri, Pahadi, Kaman, Nagar in Bharatpur. On the other hand, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Kaman and Pahadi, banning any kind of procession or rally in these areas.

He said security force has been deployed at the Bhatarpur-Haryana border where every vehicle is being checked. - PTI

An alert has been sounded in Saharanpur, Shamli and Muzaffarnagar districts of Uttar Pradesh bordering Haryana in the wake of communal violence in the neighbouring state, a senior police official said on Wednesday.

Checking is also being conducted in areas along the Haryana-Uttar Pradesh border to keep an eye on anarchic elements, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Saharanpur Range, Ajay Kumar Sahni told PTI.

“Police of both states are coordinating with each other,” he said. - PTI

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala has said that the organisers of the religious procession – which was attacked in Nuh by a mob – did not give a proper estimation of the expected turnout to the district administration, a lapse which may have led to the violence.

Such an incident has never occurred in the history of the state, he said.

Six people, including two home guards and a cleric, have so far died in the communal clashes which were sparked on Monday in the Nuh district and soon spread to neighbouring Gurugram.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Tuesday, Mr. Chautala said strict action will be taken against the culprits of the violence.

He said paramilitary forces have been deployed and the security has been tightened.

“... the organisers of the Yatra had not given proper estimation to the district administration about the crowd participating in the event. Lack of this information somewhere or the other appears to have led to the incident,” said Mr. Chautala.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had on Tuesday termed the violence in Nuh “unfortunate” and called the attack on a VHP procession “well-planned which points to a larger conspiracy.” Mr. Chautala urged the people to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

He said police were investigating the matter and situation was peaceful in Haryana. - PTI

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday sought four more companies of central forces in the wake of communal clashes in the state and said one battalion of the IRB will also be deployed in Nuh. Twenty companies of central forces are already deployed in Haryana, 14 of them in Nuh, three in Palwal, two in Gurugram and one in Faridabad, he told a press conference. The chief minister asserted that those found responsible for the clashes will not be spared.

Six people have died so far in the violence, Mr. Khattar said and added that 116 people have been arrested and 90 detained since Monday’s clashes in Nuh. - PTI

Security has been beefed up at sensitive places in the national capital in the wake of violence in some districts of neighbouring Haryana, the Delhi Police said.

Activists of Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests at multiple places in the national capital against the clashes causing traffic jams. Videos on social media showed Bajrang Dal supporters reciting Hanuman Chalisa near the Nirman Vihar Metro Station. Later, they tried to block Vikas Marg but were removed by police.

“Keeping in view the violence in some districts of Haryana, adjoining Delhi, elaborate security arrangements have been made at all sensitive places in the city and additional police forces have also been deployed where necessary. Any attempt to harm Delhi’s security and communal harmony will be dealt with strictly,” the Delhi Police said.

“Police have enhanced patrolling in sensitive areas and are also holding meetings with peace committees. Social media monitoring is also being done,” officials said.

The Supreme Court on August 2 observed that “..there cannot be violence, hate speech, destruction of property or life, let additional police force be deployed or para military force... where there can be violence install CCTV and let recordings be preserved”.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju appeared for the Union of India and stated that he needed time for instructions.

“It is accepted and admitted that directions given by SC on October 21, 2022 by Justice K.M. Joseph-led Bench as extended by order of Jan 13, 2023 have to be complied with. We hope and trust that State, along with police, shall ensure that there is no hate speech against any community or violence against any property. Wherever required additional police force or para military force be deployed and wherever required authorities shall use the CCTV cameras or make video recordings in all sensitive areas wherever required. The CCTV footage shall be preserved. Relist this application on Friday,’ the Supreme Court said in its order.

SC Special Bench on Wednesday cautioned Haryana government to immediately take steps to ensure there is no law and order situations, delivery of hate speeches, violence, provide additional police personnel if necessary and CCTV footage should be installed wherever violence is expected and recording has to be preserved.

The Bench asks police to make video recordings wherever required. Case listed for next hearing on Friday.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed grief over the ongoing communal violence in Haryana.

“Deeply saddened by the distressing communal conflict unravelling in Haryana. The loss of lives and widespread arson are undeniably tragic. Let’s unite in upholding communal harmony and swiftly end the violence. Our heartfelt thoughts are with the affected families,” Mr. Vijayan tweeted.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati slammed the Haryana government for failing to contain the violence in the State, claiming it proves that like Manipur, the law and order machinery in the northern State is in tatters.

Referring to the attack on a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in Nuh, she said if the State government was not in a position to provide security to the yatra, it should not have been allowed.

“The State government should make honest efforts to restore peace and harmony in Haryana ... it is the constitutional duty of every government to protect all religions and public property,” she said.

- PTI

An SIT will be formed to investigate the cases of communal violence in Haryana and the role of Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar in the clashes is being probed, State police chief P.K. Agrawal said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference in Gurugram on Wednesday, the DGP said the situation in the State was under control and curfew has been relaxed for a brief period in Nuh.

Gurugram is completely safe and there is no report of any violence. Senior officers have been deployed in Nuh and the police force has been directed to strictly deal with anybody violating orders of the administration, he said.

A special investigation team will be formed to probe all cases of violence. If there was any conspiracy, it will also be investigated and the guilty will not be spared. The role of Bajrang Dal’s Monu Manesar is also being investigated, Mr. Agrawal said.

He told reporters that four people have been arrested for allegedly killing the cleric of a mosque in Gurugram.

A total 41 of FIRs have been registered in Nuh and 116 suspects arrested. More than 100 suspects have been detained for questioning, the Haryana DGP said.

“Two of our home guards were killed in the violence in Nuh. Financial aid will be provided to their families,” he added.

- PTI

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal on Wednesday called protests at 23 locations in the national capital to mark their protest against the communal violence that had taken place in Nuh, Palwal and Gurugram districts of Haryana, which left six dead.

Among the 23 protests by the VHP and its subsidiary, the BD, in the National Capital Region, 18 were scheduled to be held before 11 a.m. on August 2. However, senior advocate Chander Uday Singh said there was a plea in the Supreme Court seeking to stop the demonstrations/rallies announced by the right-wing groups.

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Activists of Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests at multiple places in the national capital on Wednesday against the communal violence in Haryana’s Nuh and Gurugram, causing traffic jams in several parts of the city.

Police have also beefed up security at sensitive places in Delhi in the wake of clashes neighbouring Haryana.

Protests by Bajrang Dal and VHP caused traffic jams at Vikas Marg which connects east Delhi to the central parts of the city.

Videos on social media showed Bajrang Dal supporters reciting Hanuman Chalisa near the Nirman Vihar Metro Station. Later, they tried to block Vikas Marg but were removed by police.

Police used drones to keep a watch on the situation.

- PTI

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said in a tweet: “Politics of Hate! Four killed on Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express by RPF Jawan. Victims identified by religion.” “Shops, mosque torched; Naib Imam killed, apart from four others in Nuh. Police allegedly collaborated in violence against women in Manipur. Achche Din?” he asked.

Death toll in communal violence in Haryana rose to six, said Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Wednesday. 116 people have been arrested so far. he said. Pradeep Sharma, co-ordinator, Bajrang Dal, Badshapur, succumbed to injuries at Delhi’s Safdarjang Hospital during treatment on August 2. 30 companies of Haryana Police and 20 CAPF companies have been deployed across the State.

Following the death of a young naib imam of a Gurugram mosque in a mob attack, his village in Bihar has sought justice.

Cries for ‘justice’ rent the air at Maniyadih, a village in north Bihar’s Sitamarhi district, to which 19-year-old Haafiz Saad belonged.

“Saad babu was scheduled to return by a train along with his elder brother Shadab. Shadab had called us to complain that his brother was not ready to leave the mosque until tomorrow morning,” the slain naib imam’s maternal uncle Ibrahim Akhtar said over the phone.

“The main imam of the masjid had gone out of station, and Saad felt duty-bound not to leave the premises until his superior, who was scheduled to return on Thursday, was back,” said the bereaved uncle.

The elder brother, who stays elsewhere in Gurugram and gives tuition for a living, was of the view that they leave for a “safer” place, mindful of the communal violence there. However, for the younger sibling, the call for duty was too compelling.

Saad’s father Mushtaq smells a “conspiracy” against his son, unable to come to terms with reports that the mild-mannered youngster was attacked with swords before being shot dead.

“What was my son’s fault? Why did the mob attack the naib imam and not others who were present inside the mosque? I want justice. I want nothing else from the government,” said the crestfallen father.

“We were planning to visit Muzaffarpur tomorrow to receive Saad and his brother at the station and bring them home. Now, here we are, awaiting the ambulance which would bring his body,” wailed the bereaved father.

- PTI

Amid the clashes in Haryana that broke on Monday between two groups, the Additional Director General of Police Mamta Singh on Tuesday said that Nuh was the main affected area and no big incidents have happened outside Nuh.

While talking to ANI, ADGP Singh said, “Nuh was the main affected area...outside Nuh, no big incidents have happened...there were small incidents of violence, we have registered FIR and an investigation is underway.”

The ADGP also appealed to the people to come forward with any information that can help them in the investigation.

“We have arrested a large number of people. We have appealed to everyone to come forward if they have any information that can help us in the investigation or identify the rioters,” ADGP Singh said on Nuh clashes.

- ANI