Gujjar Mahapanchayat slated for June 9 in communally sensitive Haridwar district, coming close on the heels of the recent violence at landhaura that left a score of people injured, has set alarm bells ringing for the Haridwar police and administration.
The organisers have made it clear that they have called the congregation to vent anger against what had happened at landhaura on June 1. It may be recalled that the large-scale arson had rocked the place following allegation of desecration of a holy book of a community.
The house of the newly inducted BJP leader Pranav Singh ‘Champion’ known as Rang Mahal, was attacked and several cars were torched. Speaking on the issue of Mahapanchayat, Champion said, “The Mahapanchayat would be held at any cost at Gadoli village near Govardhan in laksar. My supporters have started making contacts with the people. Harish Rawat has lowered our self-esteem by playing blatant communal politics. Mahapanchayat is the only course left to us to assert our self-esteem. We would not budge an inch from the course we have already taken.”
Police brass said that the organisers of the proposed gathering have not taken permission from them. They have seized the tents pitched in the area where the congregation is to take place. Cops said they would take action against the tent owner for pitching the tents in the place where section 144 is in force. Alarmed over the vulnerability of the situation with tension remaining palpable, police brass is maintaining contacts with their counterparts of the neighbouring districts.
Speaking to The Pioneer, District Magistrate Harbans Singh Chugh said, “We have not received any intimation for holding of Mahapanchayat from the organisers. If it comes we would consider it. However, I want to make it categorically clear that we would not allow anybody to play with the religious sentiments of the people.”
SSP Haridwar Rajeev Swaroop echoed the same, saying that they were in the dark. “However, we are fully alert and are ready to take the challenge head-on,” he added.
Police said that a constant vigil is being kept on the people coming from outside to luxor and the border areas of Western UP. Vigilance is being heightened in Bhagwanpur and other areas too, police sources said. Meanwhile, the markets and shops barring those owned by the Muslim community people of the landhaura area have remained closed for the eighth consecutive day on Wednesday.