Communal tensions erupt in Dehradun: Protests and unrest following railway station incident
- In Reports
- 10:21 PM, Sep 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, experienced a tumultuous weekend characterised by road blockades, protests, and detentions, triggered by a communal clash and vandalism at the city’s railway station. These escalating tensions and incidents highlight a significant period of unrest within the community.
The unrest was ignited when a 16-year-old girl from Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, was found with a 21-year-old man from a different community at the Dehradun railway station during an unusual hour. Their presence attracted the attention of railway police, leading to a heated altercation between members of the two communities. The confrontation escalated into stone-pelting and damaging parked two-wheelers, prompting prompt police intervention to restore order and take action against those involved in the vandalism.
Central to the ensuing upheaval was the detention of several individuals, including Bajrang Dal leader Vikas Verma, in connection with the communal clash and vandalism at the railway station. This action sparked road blockades, protests, and demands for the release of those detained. The escalating frustration and tension led to further incidents in the Paltan Bazar and Ghanta Ghar areas of the city, culminating in traders closing their shops in protest and calling for Verma’s release as well as the removal of the Senior Superintendent of Police.
The discord peaked as a large crowd gathered at the iconic Ghantaghar, raising slogans, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, and erecting barricades to demand Vikas Verma’s release. As the crowd swelled to approximately 300-400 people, additional police forces were deployed to manage the situation. The protesters’ actions, including blocking the clock tower area, disrupted traffic and emergency services, requiring repeated interventions from law enforcement to restore order.
The culmination of these events prompted swift police action, including an FIR against 300-400 unidentified individuals, underscoring the gravity of the situation and efforts to address the community unrest. Throughout the tumultuous week, the incident at the railway station acted as a catalyst for significant unrest, leading to not only police measures but also heightened demands for the release of those detained.
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