PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haldwani
Ahead of the crucial Supreme Court hearing in the matter of the Vanbhulpura railway land encroachment scheduled for Wednesday, the Nainital police took out a flag march in various sensitive areas on Tuesday. The police conducted a flag march and area domination exercise in Vanbhulpura and other sensitive areas nearby. Nainital senior superintendent of police Manujnath TC stressed that after the court verdict, any attempt at anarchy, disruption or breaking the law will not be tolerated. He directed the police officers to remain alert and ensure all necessary arrangements to ensure this. Meanwhile, the police have barred entry in the area without a local ID while preventive detentions of suspicious persons also continued. The police are also monitoring social media platforms.
The authorities have deployed three ASPs, four Cos, 12 inspectors, 45 sub inspectors, 400 head constables/constables, four fire units, four tear gas units, four drones and three companies of the PAC in the area. The Haldwani superintendent of police (City) Manoj Katyal briefed the police personnel on duty in the area.
The flag march passed various areas including the railway station, Dholak Basti, Gafur Basti, Mujahid Chowk, Taj Masjid, Gandhinagar, Chorgaliya Road and other areas before concluding at Vanbhulpura. Senior police and administration officials were also part of the flag march.
Meanwhile, the SSP has appealed to the public to honour the verdict of the Supreme Court and maintain peace. They should avoid rumours and making wrong statements while cooperating with the administration. He also warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found attempting to disrupt the law and order situation.
It will be recalled that the Vanbhulpura railway land encroachment elicited state-wide and national attention from 2023. The Railways claims that it has 29 acre land in the area, which has been encroached upon by 4,365 families. The Uttarakhand High Court had directed the removal of the encroachments in December 2023, after which the affected persons had approached the Supreme Court which had granted a stay on the demolitions.
