At least 32 people, including 12 police personnel, were injured on Wednesday as forcible evacuation of a scrap dealer’s shop allegedly by supporters of a local politician took a communal turn in Roorkee in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders.
Police had to resort to a lathicharge and fire several rounds in the air to disperse the clashing groups of two communities which hurled stones at each other and torched police vehicles in Landhaura area of Roorkee, Circle Officer Pratap Singh said. At least 20 people belonging to both groups and 12 police personnel were injured in the clashes, he said.
The shop, belonging to a member of the minority community, was got forcibly evacuated allegedly by the supporters of former Khanpur MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, who was in news recently for being one of the nine Congress MLAs who revolted against CM Harish Rawat and later joined the BJP. Members of the minority community alleged their sacred book was also desecrated in the process as things kept in the shop were thrown out on the road by Champion’s men, Singh said.
The community members protested outside the residence of the Champion, hurling stones at it and torching four vehicles including two cars outside it, the cop said.