Purola, Uttarakhand: The Mahapanchayat called by right-wing groups in Purola town, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, with allegations of 'Love Jihad' and issuing an ultimatum to Muslim traders to vacate the area before forceful eviction, could not be held today due to prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits gatherings of four or more people until June 19.
However, due to the tense communal situation in the area, all the shops remain shut amidst heavy police deployment.
The Mahapanchayat, organized by right-wing groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, was scheduled to take place in Purola town today. However, due to the restrictions imposed and heavy police presence, the gathering did not materialize. Despite this, a small group of Bajrang Dal members arrived at Purola Stadium to register a symbolic protest.
The police administration, anticipating potential disruptions, intercepted several vehicles en route to the Mahapanchayat at Naugaon, approximately 20 kilometres from the town. Disgruntled attendees staged a sit-in on the road, chanting slogans such as 'Jai Shree Ram' and 'Hindu Ekta' to voice their dissent.
The tension in Purola and surrounding towns escalated following an incident on May 26, involving two men, one Muslim and one Hindu, who were accused of attempting to abduct a Hindu girl, while right-wing groups have introduced the element of alleged 'Love Jihad' angle into the issue.
These events prompted the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Devanand Sharma, to issue the prohibitory orders, citing concerns over potential law and order disruptions and the possibility of further demonstrations.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands. He reassured the public that the administration and police were actively addressing the incidents, with no reports of clashes or violence. Dhami reiterated that the law would take its course against those found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Uttarakhand Director General of Police, Ashok Kumar, appealed to all parties involved to cooperate in maintaining law and order. He emphasized that no individual or group would be allowed to disrupt the prevailing peace. The police force has been deployed and placed on high alert to prevent any breaches of the law.