Haryana: 250 shanties of 'illegal immigrants' razed in violence-hit Nuh
The Haryana government bulldozed around 250 shanties of "illegal" Bangladeshi immigrants encroaching on government land in violence-hit Nuh district's Tauru on Thursday evening, NDTV reported. The members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed the move on social media, terming it an action against the alleged rioters. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier alleged that immigrants were involved in the recent communal riots.
Why does this story matter?
Communal riots broke out in parts of Haryana on Monday after a Muslim mob allegedly pelted stones at a rally organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The ensuing violence claimed the lives of six people and injured over 200. After the riots, Khattar reportedly signaled action against the perpetrators on the lines of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's "bulldozer justice."
Haryana administration removing illegal encroachments
Similar action in other areas soon: Report
The anti-encroachment drive on Haryana Urban Authority land was carried out amid a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, along with officers from several departments. Similar action will be conducted at several other places, including Nalhar village, where stones were pelted at the rally, The Tribune reported. Over 50 properties have been identified in different parts of Nuh, it said.
Rioters were from immigrants' settlement: Report
The shanties stood on around one acre of land for nearly four years. NDTV reported that the residents of these shanties were allegedly illegal immigrants from Bangladesh who earlier lived in Assam. The Tribune, quoting anonymous police sources, said that most of the rioters belonged to this settlement. Their houses were identified using CCTV footage and videos shared online by the rioters.
Will make rioters pay: Khattar
"We will make sure that people liable in the violence that took place in Haryana's Nuh district pay for the loss of properties," Khattar said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, mosques in the violence-hit areas have canceled Friday prayers and urged people to offer namaz at home. So far, 176 people have been arrested, and 93 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence.