Date: June 13, 2023
Roorkee, a village in Haridwar district, witnessed a disturbing turn of events as villagers clashed with the police following the death of a Dalit man. The incident unfolded when family members of the deceased gathered at the local police station, seeking justice for their loved one.
Early in the morning, emotions ran high as the grieving family confronted the authorities, expressing their anger and frustration. Later in the day, in an attempt to draw attention to their plight, they placed the body of the deceased on the highway, causing disruptions to traffic flow. This act escalated tensions further.
The situation quickly spiraled out of control when police officials, acting on instructions from Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajit Singh, attempted to calm the situation. Agitated locals responded by pelting stones at the police, resulting in several officers sustaining injuries. The injured officers were promptly taken to government hospitals for medical treatment, while those in critical condition were transferred to a higher medical center.
Reacting swiftly to the escalating violence, District Magistrate Dheeraj Singh Gabryal and SSP Ajit Singh rushed to the scene with a substantial police force in an effort to restore order and bring the situation under control.
The unrest continued as villagers persistently hurled stones at the authorities, leading the police to retaliate by firing tear gas shells. The clash intensified, creating a volatile atmosphere in the village.
SSP Ajit Singh, shedding light on the origins of the conflict, stated, “This incident originated from a dispute between two parties. We had assured them that appropriate action would be taken against the accused, but they refused to listen.” The authorities had attempted to address the concerns of the deceased’s family but were met with resistance.
Furthermore, it appears that there may have been a premeditated plan to disrupt the peace in the village. Several motorcycles with non-local registration numbers were spotted in the area, indicating possible external involvement. Authorities took a dozen individuals into custody who were identified as being involved in instigating unrest, while efforts were underway to identify and detain others responsible.
Meanwhile, DM Haridwar Dheeraj Singh Gabryal shed light on the sequence of events leading to the clashes. “Yesterday, a young man tragically lost his life in an accident involving a tractor. Subsequently, the relatives wanted to file a case under Section 302 (murder), but the police informed them that the case would be registered under the appropriate sections. This led to their anger, resulting in the stone pelting incident targeting the police.”
To maintain law and order, Section 144, which prohibits the assembly of more than four people in an area, has been imposed in all villages within a 10-kilometer radius. District authorities are closely monitoring the situation, which is currently reported to be peaceful.
As the investigations progress and tensions subside, the local administration and law enforcement agencies are striving to ensure justice and restore harmony in the affected village, focusing on addressing the grievances of the deceased’s family and resolving the underlying issues that led to this unfortunate incident.