Uttarakhand: Markets in Purola Remain Closed in Protest Against Prohibitory Orders

Uttarkashi (U'khand): Markets in Uttarakhand's Purola and neighbouring towns remained closed on Thursday in protest against the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC by the district administration to prevent a "mahapanchayat" that was scheduled to be held there during the day over alleged incidents of "love jihad".

The call for the "mahapanchayat" was given by local trade bodies with the support of Hindutva outfits, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.

However, the organisers called off the "mahapanchayat" late on Wednesday night.

The markets in Purola, Barkot and Naugaon will remain completely closed, Purola Vyapar Mandal president Brijmohan Chauhan and Barkot Vyapar Mandal president Rajaram Jagudi said.

"The imposition of prohibitory orders in Purola reflects the administration's dictatorial attitude. The steps taken to prevent the mahapanchayat show that we cannot share our point of view with our own people. It is a kind of slavery," Jagudi said.

The "bazar bandh" has been organised to acknowledge the efforts of those who have tried to awaken Hindus, he said.

There is a substantial deployment of police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel on the streets of Purola to ensure that there is no violation of the prohibitory orders issued under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Three PAC platoons have been deployed in addition to police personnel, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police (SP) Arpan Yaduvanshi said.

Two circle officers and an additional SP have also been deployed in Purola, he said.

Barricades have been put up in the entire Nagar Panchayat area and people moving in groups are being checked, the officer added.

Barricades have also been put up on the borders of Uttarkashi district, he said.

Section 144 was imposed in Purola on Wednesday for six days till June 19.

Hindutva outfits call off 'mahapanchayat'

The call for a "mahapanchayat" given by local trade bodies and Hindutva outfits in Uttarakhand's Purola in protest against alleged incidents of "love jihad" was withdrawn late on Wednesday night.

The organisers were under pressure from the administration to withdraw the call to maintain peace in the town in Uttarkashi district that has been in the grip of communal tension for more than a fortnight.

The matter had even reached the Supreme Court and the Uttarakhand High Court where a petition was moved on Wednesday, seeking prevention of the congregation that could disturb social harmony in Purola.

"The mahapanchayat has only been put off. The decision was taken after consulting all social, political organisations and people's representatives of the area," Vyapar Mandal president Brijmohan Chauhan said.

However, members of various organisations from Barkot and Naugaon were stopped ahead of the Mungra bridge on Thursday while they were marching towards Purola where prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued.

With no one being allowed to go ahead, people sat on the road and raised the "Jai Shri Ram" slogan, Purola Station House Officer (SHO) Khajan Singh Chauhan said.

Some of them even delivered speeches through loudspeakers on the road itself in the presence of police personnel.

Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal's state organisational secretary Vikas Verma, who reached the Purola sports ground, said no one will be allowed to indulge in immoral activities in the mountains.