New Delhi: Outside several villages in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, signboards have been installed, banning the entry of “non-Hindus” and hawkers.
While the police have started an investigation, Muslim organisations have raised concerns over the increasing number of cases targeting the community, reported Hindustan Times.
Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar has ordered the local police to investigate the matter and verify reports of such boards being installed in different villages.
Prabodh Kumar Ghildiyal, Rudraprayag Circle Officer, confirmed that several such signboards have been removed by the police and efforts are being made to identify the persons who put them up.
In Sonprayag village in Rudraprayag district, a signboard has been put up stating, “non-Hindus and Rohingyas will face action if they enter the village,” reported India Today.
Pramod Singh, pradhan of Nyalsu, told Hindustan Times that such boards have come up in almost all villages in the region, including Shersi, Gaurikund, Triyuginarayan, Sonprayag, Barasu, Jamu, Ariya, Ravigram, and Maikhanda.
Nayyar Kazmi, state president of the All India Majlis Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Uttarakhand has met the state DGP, demanding strict action against the culprits.
Kazmi also alleged that Muslim homes were attacked and looted recently after a dispute, which led to several people being forced to flee, reported India Today.
“We had to flee the town after we received death threats. After a crowd of hundreds of violent protesters attacked our shops and people from our community, we walked for around 20 kilometres in the middle of night to save our lives. It was raining, and the weather was stormy. But we were desperate to save our lives. We have come to our native place in Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh),” said Ahmad Hasan, a BJP minority wing functionary, who has been living in the hill town for three decades, reported Hindustan Times.
