The Haridwar administration has lifted section 144 of CrPC from Roorkee Tehsil on Monday, imposed on May 13 as precautionary measure in the aftermath of the communal and caste flare-ups in some parts of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
SK Singh, DSP, Roorkee said that the police, however, have remained vigilant. Notably, the administration had invoked the prohibitory order after a group had called a rally in Roorkee area on Sunday. However, the rally had been called off later, helping the administration and the police breathe a sigh of relief. Notably, Manglour police had submitted a report to the district administration, stating that three big incidents of caste clash and communal tension having occurred in Saharanpur district, resulting in damage to Government properties, some steps needed to taken to stop such unrest from spilling out to Haridwar district bordering Saharanpur.
Moreover, “In-charges of police stations- Manglour, Civil line, Roorkee, Kotwali Gangnahar and Kaliyar had apprehended spread of the tension from Saharanpur to these vulnerable areas,” had said a senior police officer based in Haridwar district on Saturday while adding that the police had submitted a letter to district magistrate through SSP, seeking enforcement of section 144 of CrPC in Roorkee Tehsil area to maintain peace and tranquillity there in view of what was happening in the neighbouring district of Uttar Pradesh. State Director General of Police MA Ganapathy had said earlier in the day that they were vigilant with the situation in the Haridwar rural area, including Bhagwanpur, remaining tense.
“Things in UP remaining on the boil, even a small incident happening here can snowball into a major issue to affect the fragile communal and caste harmony. We cannot afford to take chances. Police are on full alert being directed to take measures at their levels to keep the situation under control,” he had said.