Tension in Nainital: Shops Damaged and Slogans Shouted During Clashes

Protests broke out in the Mallital neighborhood of Nainital, following the alleged rape of a young girl by a contractor named Usman.

Following the arrest of a 65-year-old contractor who was suspected of raping a Class 7 student, communal tensions in Nainital flared, resulting in rioting and destruction in several areas of the city. After an agitated night that included stone-pelting, store assaults, and increased security, police have reassured that the situation is now under control.

The disturbance started after Usman, a local building contractor, was charged with raping a little girl in his vehicle on April 12 in a first information report (FIR) filed on Wednesday. At the Mallital police station, the FIR was filed in accordance with section 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and pertinent clauses of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO). After the girl's family filed the complaint, the accused was taken into custody right away.

The FIR claims that Usman offered the girl Rs 200 in order to get her to return home from the market. 

The victim reportedly had a medical evaluation at B.D. Pandey Hospital. Usman, the accused, has been taken into custody by the police and is facing legal action.

Outrage was sparked by the rapid dissemination of information about the suspected crime around the neighborhood. Before proceeding to the Gaadi Padav neighborhood, where they stoned and vandalized stores owned by the minority, members of the majority community assembled at the Mallital police station. Stones were thrown at the Jama Masjid's walls and gate by the mob as well. During the disturbances, some members of the minority group were allegedly attacked.

Because of the worsening scenario, there is a lot of security in the neighborhood. To prevent protesters from attacking the accused Usman's home, it has been fortified.

Usman, the accused, has also received a notice from the Nainital Municipal Council to remove the unlawful encroachment.

"During the inspection by the administrative team, it was found that you (Usman) had encroached upon the land of the municipality/forest, which is against the rules. Remove the illegal encroachment within three days, otherwise legal action will be taken by the administrative team," a notice served by the Nainital Municipal Council read.

Tourists in the hill station were kept in their hotel rooms as police held peace sessions to keep the calm because of the tension that erupted during the busiest travel season.

According to Vinod Rawat, a hotelier at Mallitaal, tourists started departing Nainital early  and many others canceled their weekend reservations because of police restrictions in the hill resort.

Written By:-
Adrika Tayal