The police investigation into the violence in Haryana’s Nuh district has brought new revelations to light. Police sources say that a nexus called “Gang 0011” played an “important role” in the violence. In this group, 60 people had plotted the instigation of the violence using WhatsApp. They were reportedly targeting members of the Bajrang Dal, having decided to “teach them a lesson” if they participated in the Braj Mandal Yatra in the district.
This came to light when the administrator of a WhatsApp group by the name of “Gang 0011” was arrested by the Police. Gang leader Wasim alias Tita was picked up by Nuh police from Ferozepur Namak. Nuh police are looking into 20 other WhatsApp groups as well. The administrators and members of these groups are under investigation for their possible role in the violence. Earlier, it was believed that the Nuh violence was a spontaneous outburst of communal tension. In the ongoing investigation, emerging evidence suggests that the rioters had a clear intention of attacking.
Police interrogation revealed that the cyber police station was also targeted by Tita and other accused. The gang also arranged for a bus to blow up the station. As tension peaked, a bus operated by gang members went from village to village to pick up others involved in violence at various locations after the attack on the cyber police station.
The main accused, Tita, confessed to his involvement after his arrest. Messages on the group he administered talked about “making an example” of right-wing activists and encouraged inciting violence if individuals from their hit list joined the procession.
A senior Nuh police officer said that the gang pre-planned the attack on the cyber police station. “We are checking the criminal history of all the members as there are many cyber criminals and raids are on to nab them. On 31 July, a procession of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad set out in Nuh. When the yatra reached Tiranga Park in the afternoon, participants were pelted with stones. After this, the violence spread to neighbouring districts, affecting Gurugram, Palwal, Faridabad and Rewari Six people, including two Home Guard soldiers, died in the violence. Section 144 was imposed in nine districts and a curfew was imposed in Nuh. As of now 57 FIRs have been registered in Nuh alone and 188 people have been arrested. So far, police have conducted three encounters and three violence-related accused were shot.
