The police in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, are working to ensure law and order is maintained in the area that is witnessing communal tension after an alleged abduction bid of a minor girl.
On May 26, two youths, one Hindu, the other Muslim, were allegedly involved in the incident. An FIR was lodged against them under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, on the complaint of the girl’s family, and they were sent to jail the same day.
However, Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, a right-wing group has allegedly pasted posters across the district asking Muslims, the minority in the area, to leave town. They will also be holding a mahapanchayat on June 15. Darshan Bharti, the founder, denied pasting posters, but said the call for the mahapanchayat was from them. However, he said, “I am meeting people across town and urging them not to give their houses and shops on rent to people from the Muslim community. Almost 50% of them agreed with me,” said Mr. Bharti, who calls himself Swami.
