DEHRADUN: Days after large-scale violence erupted during an anti-encroachment drive in Banphoolpura locality of Haldwani, Uttarakhand govt will table a
bill
that makes
rioters
accountable for
damages
to govt and private property. The Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill will be presented in the state assembly during the budget session starting Monday.
The Yogi Adityanath govt in UP passed a similar bill in 2020. Haryana also followed suit and Uttarakhand will be the third state to enact such a law.
G ovt sources indicated that they are keen on ‘swift passage of the bill in the upcoming session’. Under the proposed law, individuals causing harm during protests or strikes would be “financially responsible for the losses”. A tribunal, to be led by a former judge, will determine compensation amounts and issue recovery notices
. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami labelled the issue as “extremely serious,” affirming govt’s commitment to decisive action. “Our legal experts are reviewing the details (of the bill), and we will soon introduce a robust law on this matter,” he said. Dhami emphasised govt’s stance against violence, saying “while discussions are welcome, govt will not condone violence under any circumstances.”
The CM said, “We have previously enacted strict laws to prevent cheating in competitive exams, including harsh penalties for offenders. Similarly, this legislation will have stringent provisions. Further details (of the proposed law) will be provided once the draft is finalised.” Apart from Haldwani, Dehradun and Haridwar districts have also seen violent protests against anti-encroachment measures in the last few years.
The widespread violence in Banphoolpura was a significant factor leading to govt’s consideration of this legislation, sources said. Notably, Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind of the Haldwani violence on Feb 8, was arrested in Delhi on Saturday. This came after the district administration began seizing his assets to recover Rs 2.4 crore for damages to public property.
On Thursday, Malik’s wife Safia Malik and five others were charged with fraud and forgery for illegal land use. The Banphoolpura unrest erupted when a district administration team visited the area to demolish an illegally built madrassa. Locals responded with violence, hurling stones and petrol bombs at the team. Five people were killed and more than a hundred — including police personnel, district administration officials and journalists — sustained injuries. The rioters also set fire to police vehicles
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