Stone-Pelting During Congress MLA’s Victory Procession [Manglaur, Uttarakhand]

(Reported as seen)

In Manglaur, Uttarakhand, a violent incident erupted during a victory procession held by supporters of newly elected Congress MLA Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin. The procession, which was carried out without police permission, saw participants engaging in stone-pelting and clashes, leading to significant unrest in the area.

On 16th July, police arrested five individuals—identified as Irfan (son of Zuaib), Abrar (son of Shuaib), Kamil (son of Saqib), Shamshad (son of Sanaullah), and another Irfan (son of Dilnawaz)—in connection with the violence. The arrests followed an extensive investigation, including the review of video footage and viral social media content.

The victory march, celebrating Nizamuddin’s success in the by-elections, became chaotic as supporters threw stones at rival party supporters, as well as at Hindu homes and shops. The confrontation was exacerbated by assaults using sticks and disorderly conduct involving the police. Reports indicate that supporters of the Congress MLA clashed with police personnel and displayed disruptive behavior, defying legal protocols.

The police had not authorized the victory procession, and the resulting chaos led to damage and injuries. To manage the situation, Haridwar SSP Pramendra Dobal issued strict orders for the swift apprehension of all involved and for maintaining peace and harmony in the region. The local law enforcement has formed multiple teams to locate and arrest the remaining suspects, ensuring a thorough investigation into the incident.

In response to the violence, Congress supporters claimed that their actions were permissible due to the celebratory nature of the event. However, law enforcement agencies are focused on upholding order and addressing the fallout from the disturbance.