Communal violence broke out in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Tuesday following an argument between a Hindu and a Muslim youth over parking. The altercation occurred in the town of Gauchar, where the Hindu youth allegedly parked his scooter in front of a shop owned by a Muslim man. The situation escalated when the shop owner reportedly asked the individual to move his vehicle, which led to a physical confrontation.
The clash soon drew the attention of others, and the Hindu man was beaten up by the crowd. He later sought police intervention and was sent for a medical check-up. In response to the incident, several Hindu organisations gathered and organised a march, which led to further tensions in the area.
A mob soon vandalised several shops and damaged signboards, contributing to a rise in communal unrest. The situation remained tense until around 2 pm when police managed to bring the conflict under control. To prevent further disturbances, additional police forces were deployed, and prohibitory orders were enforced in Gauchar.
Authorities have registered a case against three individuals and approximately 70 to 80 others under various sections related to rioting, causing harm, and provoking breaches of peace. Police also issued a warning about the dangers of misinformation being spread on social media, which could exacerbate the unrest.
In a statement, the Chamoli Police urged citizens to support efforts in maintaining peace and harmony. They cautioned that the circulation of provocative messages on social media could inflame tensions and create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in the community.