Even as Manipur is reeling from ethnic conflict, another major crisis has hit India, this time in Haryana. Violent clashes erupted between a group of young men and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
According to the police, the altercation began when a cluster of young men stopped the VHP’s Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra near Khedla Mod in Nuh and began hurling stones at the procession.
So far, the police have lodged at least 40 cases and held more than 100 men for questioning.
The top Court has ordered the State government and the Delhi police to ensure that no hate speech takes place during rallies.
The Haryana government has already imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in some areas of the state. Reports claim that peace committee meetings were also held to ease tensions. Leaders have been appealing for peace.
The gravity of the situation could be gauged by the way Gurugram deputy commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav prohibited all fuel stations from selling loose petrol and diesel except during emergencies to keep a check on arsonists.
Meanwhile, the opposition leaders flayed the Manohar Lal Khattar government for failure of law and order.
Khattar, however, made timely statements to suggest that his government was doing all that it takes to restore stability in the state.
“Twenty paramilitary forces have been deployed so that no unlawful activity takes place in the state. Six people’s death has been reported out of which two are police personnel and four civilians. One hundred and sixteen people have been arrested. Ninety others have been detained and after questioning action will be taken. Whoever is involved in this will not be spared and action will be taken…Indian Reserve Battalion will also be deployed in Nuh,” he said.
“We have passed an act wherein it provides that for any loss government issues compensation for the loss to public property but as far as private property is concerned, those who caused the loss are liable to compensate for it. So, we will provide for loss to public property and for the private property we will say that compensation be collected from those who are liable for it…”
Congress MP Randeep Surjewala was quoted as saying, “What was the government doing when these violent clashes broke out in Gurugram, Nuh, and Sohna? The real conspirators are sitting within the government in Haryana.”
Home minister Anil Vij believes the violence is well-planned and ordered an inquiry.
Union Minister of State and Gurugram MP Rao Inderjit Singh has expressed concern regarding swords and sticks being carried in the religious yatra.
The government understandably is in a wait-and-watch mode. Nuh Deputy Commissioner Prashant Panwar told a media house, “We will review the situation and then will decide on the reopening of schools and colleges in the area. Internet facility will be also started again after reviewing the situation in the area. 14 forces of paramilitary and almost 20 companies of Haryana Police are deployed here. Today we will give relaxation between 3-5 pm in all the areas where curfew is imposed. We will review this relaxation time.”
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