Uttarakhand police on Saturday arrested Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind of violence that broke in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura locality earlier this month after the demolition of a Mosque and Madrasa by the district administration as part of anti-encroachment drive that left five dead and over 100 injured.
According to police, Mr. Malik, had encroached the ‘Nazool’ land which he was selling to people illegally, and the violence was pre-planned event to challenge the State machinery.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Prahlad Naryan Meena, told The Hindu that around 82 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence including Mr. Mallik.
