Arrr! Thar be a wee scuffle 'tween the mosque 'n the town, so now they be settin' a curfew. Landlubbers better watch out, fer the law be aimin' to shoot 'em if they don't obey!
2024-02-09
Arrr! In Haldwani, India, the landlubbers in charge have declared an eternal curfew, me hearties! All 'cause of a squabble 'bout buildin' a mosque and Muslim school. And now, the coppers be ordered to let loose their cannons upon any scallywags who dare to disobey! Aye, a fine mess we be in!
Authorities in a northern Indian town have imposed an indefinite curfew and authorized police to shoot violators after violent clashes erupted over the construction of a Muslim seminary and mosque. The clashes resulted in at least five deaths and over 150 injuries. In response to the violence, internet services and schools in Haldwani, Uttarakhand state, were shut down. Nearly 4,000 police officers were deployed to the area to bring the situation under control, with orders to shoot protesters who violated the curfew.The clashes began when thousands of protesters attempted to block government officials and police from demolishing the seminary and mosque, which were built without local authorization on government land. As the violence escalated, police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the protesters, who were using petrol bombs and stones to attack a police station and set vehicles on fire. Five people were reported dead, and over 150 police officers were injured.
Critics have accused India’s Hindu-nationalist government of targeting Muslims by demolishing their homes and businesses under the guise of illegal encroachment. Amnesty International recently released a report condemning the unlawful demolition of Muslim properties, calling it cruel, unjust, and discriminatory. Between April and June 2022, at least 128 demolitions were documented in five states as punishment for communal violence or protests.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party have faced accusations of enabling hate speech against Muslims. However, they deny these allegations. The clashes in Haldwani highlight ongoing tensions between religious groups in India and raise concerns about the government's approach to minority rights and religious freedom.