Haldwani, EW Correspondent: In response to escalating unrest in Haldwani, the Uttarakhand government has taken decisive action by imposing a curfew and issuing a shoot-at-sight order after incidents of stone-pelting during the removal of unauthorized structures within the jurisdiction of the Banbhulpura police station.

The decision, made Thursday night, came after a series of aggressive encounters between law enforcement and members of the community during the removal of an illegal madrasa and prayer site in Malik's garden area of Banbhulpura. The confrontation led to hours-long chaos, prompting the government to intervene swiftly to restore peace and order.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level meeting with Chief Secretary Radha Ratudi and Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar to assess the situation in the state capital, Dehradun. Following the meeting, Dhami issued stringent orders to deal firmly with troublemakers, including the authorization to shoot at sight.

Heavy police deployment has been initiated in the affected area, with additional forces, including the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), summoned from neighboring police stations to maintain law and order.

In light of the unrest, all government and private schools and colleges in Haldwani have been instructed to remain closed on Friday, prioritizing the safety of students and staff.

Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and urged the public to remain calm while assuring that no leniency will be shown to those involved in disrupting law and order.

The situation remains tense as authorities work diligently to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of the residents of Haldwani.