Tuesday, 13 June 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Mahapanchayat also planned later by minority community in Dehradun
In view of the warning reportedly issued by a purported Hindu group to conduct Mahapanchayat on June 15 in the Purola town of Uttarkashi district regarding the alleged love Jihad cases, the additional director general of police (crime, law and order) V Murugesan said that the police have been directed to stay vigilant to maintain harmony, law and order in the area. Last week, some unknown persons reportedly belonging to a Hindu group put up ‘vacate shop’ posters late at night in Purola outside shops run by people belonging to a minority community.
The police suspect it was done as part of the ongoing protest of locals over an abduction attempt of a local minor girl by two men on May 26 one of whom belonged to a minority community. Many local religious groups and traders have accused traders belonging to the minority community, who have arrived from other States, of allegedly assuming fake identities to trap girls and young women. The posters seen in the area stated, “Love Jihadis are hereby informed to vacate their respective shops before the Mahapanchayat to be held on June 15.” It further states that if they (the minority community) do not follow it, then it all depends on time. Due to such threats, at least 12-15 families belonging to the minority community who were living there for many years have left the town.
Talking about the Mahapanchayat which is reportedly scheduled to take place on Thursday, the ADG said that no such meeting will be allowed to happen that can potentially disrupt peace and harmony between the communities in the area. He said that no such gatherings can be allowed as per the judgements of the Supreme Court and High Court which promote hate speech and can potentially disturb law and order. He said that the police understand that the local people are agitated due to multiple cases of inter-community eloping with minors in the area but action will be taken against those who try to disturb law and order. Meanwhile, representatives of the minority community are also planning to organise a Mahapanchayat in Dehradun on June 18. The Dehradun senior superintendent of police Daleep Singh Kunwar said that the police are alert and will ensure law and order is not disturbed in the area.
