By S.M.A. Kazmi
Dehradun: Amidst growing intimidation and public threats to minority Muslims in the Uttarakhand hills and public boards put up banning the entry of non-Hindus/Rohingya Muslims, two Muslim delegations met Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar on Thursday. The delegation apprised Kumar about the grave communal situation prevailing in Garhwal hills, particularly at Nandghat and Gopeshwar in Chamoli district, and sought police protection for the minuscule minority population living there.
A delegation of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by its Uttarakhand state unit president Nayyer Kazmi, along with victims of Nandghat violence, met the DGP and expressed concern over the violence perpetuated by Right- wing Hindutva groups in which shops and business establishments run by Muslims were attacked, ransacked and looted. Some of the Muslims were badly beaten up and their mosque at Nandghat ransacked and damaged, the alleged.
Another delegation of Muslim Sewa Sangathan, led by Dehradun Shahr Qazi Maulana Mohammad Ahmad Qasmi, submit a memorandum regarding the increasing number of cases targeting the Muslim population, particularly in the hills of Garhwal and Kumaon.
Trouble began in Nandghat market near Nandprayag in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Sunday following allegations of eve-teasing and making indecent gestures at a minor girl by a Muslim youth who ran a barber shop in the area. The father of the minor girl had lodged a complaint with the police a few days ago as the alleged accused had absconded. Later, an irate mob of Hindutva groups, raising provocative slogans against the Muslim community, allegedly attacked, ransacked and looted at least seven shops owned by Muslims. They allegedly also damaged a makeshift mosque where Muslims used to pray, as well as damaged some vehicles owned by Muslims. The alleged accused Arif Khan had already been arrested by the police from Bijnore.
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