The Uttarakhand Police on Thursday arrested Abdul Moeed, co-accused in the violence that took place in Haldwani on February 8 over the demolition of a mosque and madrasa during an anti-encroachment drive that left five dead. Mr. Moeed is the son of main accused and owner of the religious structures, Abdul Malik.
The police, so far, have arrested 84 people, allegedly part of the mob that led the violence in which a police station was burnt along with several government and private vehicles. The State had announced a curfew which remained in place for 12 days in the area.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Nainital, Prahlad Narayan Meena, said six special police teams had been formed for the arrest of the accused, and they were continuously raiding all possible places in different States, including Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
