India

Haldwani Protest: Supreme Court Stays the High Court’s Order To Remove Encroachments

Haldwani Protest: While hearing the petition challenging the Uttarakhand High Court’s decision to remove encroachment from 29 acres of railway land in Haldwani, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s order. Moreover, the Supreme Court has sent a notice to the Railways and the Government of Uttarakhand. The next hearing of this matter will be on 7 February. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice S.A. Nazir and PS Narasimha’s bench gave approval for hearing after advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the matter.

Encroachment At Uttarakhand’s Haldwani

The encroachment led 4000-home resident to protest, pray and beseech official not to go ahead with the demolition. The protesters have claimed to have land lease, the areas even has 4 government schools, 11 private schools, a bank, two overhead water tanks, 10 mosques and 4 temples, beside shops that are built over decades.

While following the court’s order of December 20 after a long litigation, the district administration, has issued a notice in the newspapers asking people to take away their belongings by January 9. It covers a 2-km strip of land near the Haldwani railway station, Gafoor Basti, Dholak Basti and Indira Nagar, in Banbhulpura area.

The District officials carried out an on-ground inspection. Meanwhile, the protesters continued to hold candle marches, sit-ins and prayers to stop the eviction.

A congregational prayer, ‘Ijtemai dua’, was performed by hundreds of them at a mosque in the locality. Imam of Masjid Umar, Maulana Mukim Qasmi, told ANI that people collectively prayed for a solution. Some of the protesters were seen crying.

Ahead of activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan made a formal mention in the Supreme Court, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice SA Nazeer and PS Narasimba said it would be heard on Thursday.

Also Read: Haldwani Row: Will Protest Turn Out To Be Shaheen Bagh 2.0?

Haldwani Protest: Political Leader & Activist Supports

Several political leaders and activists blamed the BJP-led Government for action against an area where most residents happened to Muslims.

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Harish Rawat held an hour-long ‘maun vrat’ (vow of silence) at his home. “Uttarakhand is a spiritual state,” he said, “If 50,000 people including children, pregnant women, old men and women are forced to vacate their homes and come out on roads, then it would be a very sad sight.”

“The Chief Minister is the guardian of the state. My silent fast for an hour is dedicated to [Pushkar Singh Dhami],” he said.

Mr. Dhami has said his government will respect the Supreme Court’s decision.

Despite of several appeals, District Magistrate Dheeraj S Garbyal, however, said, “People stay here on railway land. They have to be removed. Our preparations are going on for this. We have demanded force. We’ll remove them soon.”

-Bharat Express

Alina Khan

Recent Posts

Pakistan Calls NSC Emergency Meeting After India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty

In response to India's suspension of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has…

4 mins ago

Domestic Indices Open Lower On Mixed Global Cues; Volatility Expected

Domestic stock indices opened lower, influenced by mixed global trends, with early declines in the…

31 mins ago

PM Modi To Launch Rs 13,480 Crore Projects In Bihar Today; Tight Security In Wake Of J&K Attack

PM Modi will likely visit Bihar today to launch and lay foundation stones for several…

43 mins ago

Pahalgam Terror Attack: India Revokes Visas Of Pakistani Citizens; Suspends Indus Water Treaty

After the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28, India announced major diplomatic and strategic moves…

14 hours ago

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Acharya Pramod Krishnam Slams Rahul, Akhilesh, Says Hindus Were Killed After Being Asked Their Names, What Will You Say Now?

A brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday has left 28 people…

14 hours ago

PM Modi To Visit Bihar On April 24; To Launch Projects Worth ₹13,480 Crore

Prime Minister Modi will visit Bihar on April 24 to attend the National Panchayati Raj…

15 hours ago