Police restricting people from meeting family members of those killed in Haldwani violence: Report
Locals claim only few members were allowed to take deceased to graveyard
Haldwani: Haldwani, located in Uttarakhand's Dehradun district, continues to be under stringent police and paramilitary control, observing a fourth consecutive day of curfew and internet suspension following communal tensions sparked by the demolition of a mosque and madrasa. Despite the matter being sub judice, with the next hearing scheduled for February 14, the town grappled with violence resulting in at least five deaths, although the exact toll remains unconfirmed.
While certain areas of the town showed signs of returning to normalcy on Sunday, with shops reopening for essential supplies, the Banbhoolpura area, the epicenter of the violence, remains heavily restricted. Internet services, briefly restored in some sections, were later suspended again in the evening.
In response to the unrest, Radha Raturi, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, wrote to the Home Minister requesting additional Paramilitary Forces, citing the "disruption of law and order by anarchist elements during the demolition."
Residents faced challenges with curfew-related shortages, reporting instances where households ran out of cooking gas, leaving some without food. Although curfew restrictions were eased in some areas, Banbhoolpura remained under tight security.
Five individuals, including former councillors and members of the Samajwadi Party, were apprehended, with local media designating one as the 'mastermind' behind the unrest. In a subsequent 'search operation,' 30 more arrests were made, bringing the total to 90.
The aftermath of the violence has left residents grappling with fear and travel restrictions, with state-run buses to Haldwani suspended, and trains not halting at the station. Some residents were unable to return home, and others chose to leave to avoid potential police actions.
Amid heavy surveillance, entrances to Banbhoolpura remain barricaded, and police control extends to the homes of those who lost their lives, limiting access for family members. Only a few individuals were permitted to take the deceased to the graveyard, with the entire burial process closely guarded by the police, sources have revealed.
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Kerala polls: ‘People rejected 10 years of misrule’, says AICC gen secy
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal on Monday said the Congress-led UDF’s sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly polls was a clear verdict against the “arrogance”, corruption, and nepotism of the CPI(M)-led LDF government headed by CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Addressing a press conference as counting of votes for all 140 Assembly constituencies neared completion, Venugopal said the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed “10 years of misrule” by the Left government.
He claimed that Vijayan’s victory in his home constituency, Dharmadam, was “only technical”, alleging that the CM trailed the UDF candidate in the initial rounds of counting and failed to secure a majority in his own village.
“He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people’s mood in this election,” Venugopal said.
Alleging that the CPI(M) and the LDF had resorted to “communal and opportunistic politics”, he further claimed that the ruling front had entered into a “secret understanding” with the BJP in a bid to retain power for a third consecutive term.
He said that when a government driven by power and arrogance attempts to align with anyone to stay in office, even its own cadre turns against it.
Referring to the results, Venugopal said that while the UDF expected rebel CPI(M) leaders, including K Kunhikrishnan in Payyannur, to impact the vote share, their victories came as a surprise.
Describing the UDF’s performance as a “historic victory”, he attributed it to coordinated teamwork, grassroots mobilisation, and the dedication of party workers, adding that the alliance accepted the mandate “with humility”.
Venugopal also credited Rahul Gandhi’s campaign guarantees, calling them a “trump card” that helped voters focus on real issues and reject what he described as the LDF’s “false narratives”.
He claimed that the Congress witnessed one of its lowest levels of rebellion in this election, which contributed to the alliance’s strong performance.
The senior Congress leader further alleged that the BJP managed to win two seats with the help of the CPI(M), and asserted that forces attempting to divide society on communal lines should “learn a lesson” from Kerala’s verdict.
“This is the real Kerala story,” he said.
On the question of the next Chief Minister, Venugopal said the party leadership would decide at the earliest after due consultations.
The counting of votes began on Monday morning for all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF secured a decisive majority, defeating the CPI(M)-led LDF, which was seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in office.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) posts, "Thank you to my brothers and sisters in Keralam for a truly decisive mandate. Congratulations to every UDF leader and worker for a hard-fought, well-run campaign. As I said before, Keralam has the talent, Keralam has the potential… pic.twitter.com/6T4IZbEmp4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026
