5 dead, schools shut, Internet suspended. What is happening in Haryana's Nuh?

In a troubling development, Nuh district in Haryana has been gripped by violent communal clashes during a religious procession organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has confirmed that five people lost their lives in the clashes, including two police officers.

Over 60 people were injured during the clashes, including several police personnel caught in the crossfire.

The violence in Nuh reached neighboring Gurugram, and one person was killed in Sector-56 after being attacked by 3-4 men.

Haryana CM Khattar's response

Haryana CM ML Khattar said: "This is an unfortunate incident. A Yatra was being organised during which some people started to attack the Yatris and police. Violence incidents were reported at several places."

He said that heavy police have been deployed in Nuh district and nearby areas and that curfew has been imposed in Nuh and Section 144 has been imposed in some places, reported ANI.
 
"Around 44 FIRs have been registered and 70 people have been taken into custody. Strict actions will be taken against them. So far 5 people have lost their lives including two police officials. We will provide all possible assistance to them. I appeal to the common people to maintain peace in the district," the CM said.

What happened

What was meant to be a peaceful event turned into chaos when a mob attempted to stop the VHP procession, leading to clashes and stone-pelting between the participants and an opposing group.

Adding to the tensions were the rumours of the presence of Monu Manesar, a controversial cow vigilante who had been accused earlier this year in the deaths of two Muslim men.

Rumors of his involvement in the procession intensified the situation, sparking confrontations and unrest in the area.

As the procession made its way through the area, a mob tried to halt its progress, triggering violent confrontations between the VHP participants and the opposing group.

The clash quickly escalated, resulting in stone-pelting and vandalism, creating a state of chaos in the region.

Monu Manesar part of VHP procession?

Earlier, there were reports that the violence broke out after rumors spread of Monu Manesar joining the yatra.

Manesar is a cow vigilante who was booked for the murder of two Muslim men whose charred bodies were found in Bhiwani district in February.

However, Monu Manesar claimed that he did not participate in the yatra on the VHP's advice as the group feared that his presence would create tension, PTI reported.

Internet suspended, schools closed, Section 144 imposed

After the violent clashes, the administration has decided that all schools and colleges in Gurugram and Faridabad will remain closed on Tuesday, August 1. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) were imposed in Gurugram and Nuh.

Mobile internet services have been suspended in Nuh district until Wednesday, August 2, to contain the "intense communal tension," said the Haryana government.

According to the District Information & Public Relations Officer, Faridabad, "All educational institutions including schools, colleges, and coaching centers in Faridabad district will remain closed today, August 1."

#WATCH | Aftermath of clash that broke out between two groups in Haryana's Nuh on July 31.

Police force has been deployed in the area and mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended. pic.twitter.com/jwOTF6fnXg

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023

"All educational institutions including schools, colleges, and coaching centers in Gurugram district will remain closed on Tuesday. We urge all educational institutions to strictly adhere to these orders," the Gurugram District Magistrate said in a tweet on Monday.

Vandalism and vehicle arson

The violent clashes led to instances of vandalism and vehicle arson in Nuh.

Streets witnessed stone-pelting and violence, disrupting daily life and causing disruptions in transportation, leaving residents fearful for their safety.

#WATCH | Aftermath of clash that broke out between two groups in Haryana's Nuh today. pic.twitter.com/yyVp10Hwzr

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2023

Unrest spreads to neighboring areas

The unrest soon spread beyond Nuh's boundaries, reaching the neighboring area of Sohna, Gurugram district.

Two people, including an Imam, were attacked on Monday night outside an under-construction mosque in Gurugram's Sector-56.

Around three-four men attacked Imam Mohmmad Saad and Khursheed with sticks. Khursheed was also shot in the leg and he is said to be critical, while Saad was killed in the attack, reported India Today.

As news of the clash in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in Sohna pelted stones and set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, belonging to people from that community. Protesters there blocked a road for hours.

VIDEO | A private car was overturned and burned as Haryana's Mewat was gripped by violent clashes between two groups earlier today. pic.twitter.com/9e1W8f7dak

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2023

Authorities respond

In an effort to restore order and maintain peace, the Union Home Ministry promptly dispatched 15 companies of central forces to Haryana.

The Haryana Home Minister, Anil Vij, took action by sending additional forces to Nuh from neighboring districts to strengthen security.

The Haryana government has sought 20 companies of the Rapid Action Force from the Centre for a week to maintain the law and order situation in Nuh district.

Cyber police station targeted

Amid the violence, the Cyber Police Station in Nuh was targeted by miscreants, who attacked and ransacked the facility.

The attack seemed linked to recent crackdowns on cyber thugs and criminals, resulting in damage to the police property.

"As many as four vehicles were burnt outside the police station. The protesters first tried to break the main gate of the police station but when the gate was not broken, they broke it with a bus," said the police personnel.