At least 60 structures, including shops and food outlets, were demolished in Nalhar village in Haryana’s Nuh district on Saturday, as an “anti-encroachment drive” by multiple civic and government authorities continued for the third day, in the wake of July 31’s communal violence. The demolition was reportedly carried out on the orders of the State’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
“Various agencies have also found some of these owners to be involved in the violence during the Brijmandal Jalabhishek Yatra,” newly-appointed Nuh Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata said in a statement. He said that the “illegal construction”, including 45 concrete structures and about 15 temporary structures, was removed from 2.6 acres of land opposite the Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar.
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Communal clashes erupted during the yatra in Nuh, which was organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on July 31, and then spread to several other districts in the State.
The Nuh district administration, in a statement, said that the demolition drive will continue on Sunday at various locations.
Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs, Haryana, extended the suspension of mobile Internet services in Nuh till August 8.
Speaking to reporters at the demolition site, Nuh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ashwani Kumar said that the action was taken on the orders of the CM. “Notices had already been served to the owners of the structures,” he said.
Mr. Khadgata said that the drive was also conducted at 12 different locations across the district, including Adbar and Tiranga Chowks, and Tawdu village, to remove several “illegal” permanent and temporary structures.
Meanwhile, curfew remains in place across Nuh with 13 companies of paramilitary forces, 15 companies of the Haryana Police and 1,900 personnel of Nuh Police still deployed in the district. A relaxation of three hours was given on Saturday. Mr. Khadgata said the same relaxation will be given on Sunday.
He asked people to avoid falling for rumours on social media and said that at least 10 persons have been booked for allegedly sharing fake news on social media in the district.
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, sharing the updated data of police action in Nuh and other districts where violence had spread, said that 104 FIRs have been filed so far. At least 216 people have been arrested and 80 have been put in preventive detention.
