Uttarakhand: Section 144 imposed in Roorkee village after locals clash with police

A clash erupted in Belra village, located in Uttarakhand’s Roorkee, on Monday evening, resulting in several police personnel sustaining injuries. The clash was sparked by the alleged murder of an individual in the village, leading to a heated confrontation between locals and the police. The situation escalated further as the crowd resorted to pelting stones at the authorities.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the Roorkee district administration promptly imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr PC). Security forces were deployed across the entire village region to regain control. Additionally, multiple vehicles were reportedly set on fire, necessitating the deployment of additional police forces and the use of tear gas to disperse the agitated crowd.

The police have taken decisive action in the aftermath of the clash, with over 24 individuals being arrested for charges of rioting and arson. The conflict originated following the death of an individual in Belra village near Roorkee, and the local residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the investigation, asserting that it failed to uncover the true motives behind the incident.

While the residents claim the person was murdered, the police suspect a possible “conspiracy” behind the incident. Consequently, an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the underlying circumstances surrounding the alleged murder and to determine if there was any deliberate intent or planning involved.