Demolition drive against alleged rioters continues for 4th day in Nuh

Communal clashes erupted in Nuh on July 31 after mobs attacked a Hindu religious procession organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The ensuing violence spread to other parts of Haryana, leading to the death of six people

The Nuh administration on Sunday continued its demolition drive in the violence-hit district for a fourth straight day on Sunday, with authorities razing 94 houses and 212 other structures, taking the total number of buildings levelled to more than 750 since the drive began, officials aware of the matter said.

An illegal hotel being demolished in Nuh on Sunday. (HT Photo)

Communal clashes erupted in Nuh on July 31 after mobs attacked a Hindu religious procession organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The ensuing violence spread to other parts of Haryana, leading to the death of six people.

Officials on Sunday said they have demolished houses, shops and illegal structures in Nuh that were built on government land and were used by suspects involved in the communal clashes. Sub-divisional magistrate Ashwani Kumar said, “These were illegal constructions. Notices were already given to owners of the demolished structures. The owners of some illegal structures were also involved in the violence during the religious procession so they were demolished, and this drive will continue.”

Jawahar Yadav, officer on special duty (OSD) to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, said the drive will continue till all the houses and properties of the suspects are demolished. “They have disrupted peace and harmony and they will have to bear the cost of it. They have intentionally and with planning attacked the Hindu yatra that involved women and children, they showed no mercy for anyone,” he said.

Nuh superintendent of police Narendra Bijraniya said authorities on Sunday bulldozed a three-storey hotel and several shops outside the Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College and Hospital. “We have so far demolished properties at 37 spots across 57.5 acres of land in Nuh and Tauru town. In total, 162 houses and 591 shops, hotels, medical stores, dhabas, and structures of vegetable and juice vendors, among others,” he said.

Bijarniya and Nuh deputy commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata visited several areas of the district to take stock of the law-and-order situation.

The SP said that they have registered 56 first information reports (FIRs) in connection with the communal violence, and have arrested 147 persons so far. “We are updating the records everyday as more complaints of injured are being reported in the district. A total of 88 people have been injured, including 56 policemen who were on duty and were attacked by the mob in several places in Nuh,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nuh legislator and Congress leader Chaudhary Aftab Ahmed said the demolition drive was “illegal”. “This drive is illegal and nothing will be achieved by officials from this action. Those found guilty should be severely punished, but demolishing houses, shops of the poor people of the district is unfair and not acceptable,” he said.