Uttarakhand Police Thwart Right-Wing Group's March to Kotdwar, Leader Announces Bounty
In a tense development in Uttarakhand, police successfully intercepted and stopped members of a right-wing organization who were attempting to reach the city of Kotdwar from the state capital, Dehradun, and nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh. The group intended to confront a man identified as Deepak Kumar, also known as "Mohammad" Deepak Kumar, but their march was halted at Rishikesh on Thursday.
Police Detention and Bounty Announcement
After being briefly detained at the Rishikesh police station, one of the group members, Lalit Sharma, who claims to be the head of the organization's Uttarakhand unit, made a shocking announcement. From the police station premises, Sharma declared a reward of Rs 5.5 lakh to anyone who would behead Kumar. This inflammatory statement was made amid religious sloganeering by his aides, escalating tensions in the region.
Heavy Security Deployment in Kotdwar
In response to the threat, Pauri Garhwal district police in Kotdwar took stringent measures to maintain law and order. Approximately 150 police personnel were deployed to block all entry points into the city and prevent any outsiders from entering with disruptive intentions. The police transformed Kotdwar into a virtual fortress to ensure peace and security.
Pauri Garhwal SSP Sarvesh Panwar confirmed that police had registered an FIR against Sharma and another organization member, Pinki Chowdhary, on Wednesday for threatening Kumar. "Heavy police force was deployed at all entry points. There was no breach of peace in Kotdwar," Panwar stated, highlighting the proactive steps taken to avert violence.
Background and Social Media Threats
The incident follows a purported video on social media where Sharma, identified as a member of the Hindu Raksha Dal, threatened to attack Kumar. In the clip, Sharma alleged that "Kumar was born Hindu but later became Muslim…" and announced plans to reach Kumar's gym at 3 pm on Thursday. This video, circulated two days prior, set the stage for the attempted march and subsequent police intervention.
Legal Actions and FIR Registrations
Police have registered multiple FIRs in connection with the case. At the Rishikesh police station, an FIR was filed against Sharma and unidentified persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections:
- Section 196 (2): Promoting enmity between different groups.
- Section 351 (2): Criminal intimidation.
- Section 352: Intentional insult to provoke breach of peace.
Sub-inspector Manish, who uses only his first name, informed that "Probe is on and further action will be taken accordingly." The legal proceedings underscore the seriousness with which authorities are treating the threats and inflammatory statements.
Implications and Ongoing Situation
This event highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing communal tensions and preventing violence. The police's swift action in stopping the march and securing Kotdwar prevented a potential clash, but the bounty announcement has raised concerns about ongoing threats. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with investigations underway to hold those responsible accountable under the law.
