Tensions continued to prevail in Haryana’s Nuh after violence and ruckus broke out during the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) Braj Mandal Yatra. A curfew was been imposed in Nuh on Tuesday and was later extended until Wednesday. To control the situation, 20 paramilitary companies have been deployed in the district. An alert has also been issued in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, adjacent to Nuh. An internet shutdown has also been issued in four Haryana districts as well as in Gurugram’s Sohna, Pataudi and Manesar areas. Gurugram and Faridabad police advised residents to venture out, unless unavoidable. According to Gurugam DC Nishant Yadav, peace meetings will be held every day and police personnel will be deployed across all mosques in Gurugram.
As violence spread from Nuh (Mewat) to Gurugram, Section 144 was implemented in five districts including Rewari, Palwal and Faridabad as a precautionary measure. All educational institutions and coaching centres were shut down on Tuesday and will remain shut in Nuh, Faridabad and Palwal on Wednesday.
Exams for the 10th and 12th standards have been canceled in Nuh. These exams were to be held on 1 and 2 August. Deputy Commissioner Prashant Panwar called a Sarva Samaj meeting again at 11 am on Tuesday regarding the restoration of peace.
The violence erupted after people of a particular community pelted stones at the VHP’s Braj Mandal Yatra in Nuh on Monday. This led to stone pelting and firing on both sides. Four people including two Home guards from Gurgaon, Neeraj and Gursevak, lost their lives in the clashes and over 50 police officers, employees and others sustained injuries.
Several Hindu organisations took out the Yatra under the leadership of the VHP. After Jalabhishek at Nalhareshwar temple located in Nalhar, Nuh, it was to go through Badkali Chowk to the Shiva temple in Ferozepur-Jhirka and the Radha Krishna temple of Singar in Punhana.
According to the police, when the procession reached Badkali Chowk at 1 pm, people of the particular community pelted stones and raised slogans, causing a stampede.
Stones were pelted at the vehicles passing through the road in front of the police. Some people were seen asking for help by putting videos on social media. Notably, while the procession takes place every year, this is the first time violence has broken out.
Monu Manesar had a day earlier released a video regarding the yatra, appealing to everyone to “participate enthusiastically”.
“Visit all the temples of Nuh in maximum numbers. I myself will be involved in the journey. Our team will also be involved,” he said. However, Monu did not reach Manesar on Monday. In fact, Monu Manesar’s name was involved in the case of burning alive Junaid and Nasir of Gopalgarh in Rajasthan on the suspicion of cattle smuggling. Monu is reportedly absconding in a case of the Rajasthan police.
Miscreants set ablaze whatever vehicle they saw on the road within a three-kilometre radius.
Later, over 500 people hit a bus and broke the wall of the cyber police station and entered inside. Dial 112 vehicles were burnt and vandalised. Some shops were set on fire after looting. A bike showroom was vandalised as well—employees were beaten and about 200 bikes were looted.
Timeline
1:00 pm: Violence breaks out in Nuh after the Brij Mandal Yatra is pelted with stones pelting on the Brij Mandal Yatra.
3:00 pm: Miscreants attack the Anaj Mandi Cyber Police station.
5:00 pm: Case of arson, firing reported on Gurugram’s Sohna bypass.
8:00 pm: Administration organises meeting of representatives from both communities.
8:40 pm: CM Khattar appeals to the people on social media to maintain peace.
10:00 pm: Centre decides to send 20 companies of paramilitary forces.
12:00 am: Internet shut down in Nuh, three other districts. Curfew notice issued in Nuh at 2 am.
