A day before the panchayat polls to begin in luxor and Khanpur block of Haridwar district, the situation became tense in laksar village on Sunday morning when some unidentified persons placed an idol of Ambedkar at a disputed land. The matter has already started getting political hues, while no political leader has yet come out openly for any comment.
Police have lodged a case against 25 people, including men and women against rioting and arrested 20 people. 12 police personnel were hurt in stone pelting and firing incident including two COs and SHO. An agreement was reached between Dalits and the cops for installing the idol at some other place, till the time it has been kept safe in the laksar police station.
Situation became tense in laksar village ward no.1 when few people of one community tried to capture the disputed land by placing an idol of Bhim Rao Ambekar on Saturday night. A case was lodged by the resident of laksar Chandmal & Nagar Panchayat in civil court for a long time over ownership of that land area. As per the sources, instigated by some political leader, the members of one community installed the idol during the night and in the morning started with the worship ritual.
Near to the area of the dispute, under the aegis of the district magistrate and SSP, a poll briefing was going on Sunday. The polling parties were getting instructions for moving to the polling booths from blocks when Nagar Panchayat executive officer S P Joshi approached the DM narrating the incident of idol installation.
The SSP Haridwar Santhil Krishnaraj directed five officials to visit the place for review. The cops asked the villagers and gave directions to remove the idol but some of the villagers started pelting brick chunks and stones on the team of the police personnel.
The then cops returned saving their lives and in the meantime Chandmal and his aides also reached the police station with their complaint. Heavy police force was deployed in the area headed by the circle officers and the SHO. The police commissioned lathi charge on the attackers. Some minor girls who were in the mob have also received injuries during the lathi charge and 12 police personnel received injuries including CO Chandra Mohan Negi, CO laksar RS Tolia, luxor SHO Jaidev Arya along with nine other constables, who were also wounded.
Speaking to The Pioneer SSP Santhil Krishnaraj said, “We have registered case a against 25 people for rioting and arrested 20 others in connection to the case. The situation is under control.” The district magistrate Harbans Singh Chugh said, “We have spoken to the community people and with the mutual consent the idol shall be installed at police station trijunction.”