Exactly what went down in Nuh and Gurugram: The why and how of Haryana communal clashes

Gurugram and Nuh in Haryana have been grappling with unrest and violence following clashes between groups during a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession on Monday (July 31).

The situation escalated to alarming levels, resulting in six deaths and vandalism. As the turmoil unfolded, social media was rife with rumours of work-from-home orders and restrictions imposed by authorities in Gurugram, causing further anxiety among residents.

In response, the Gurugram Police has assured the public that all offices are open and operational, urging them to avoid spreading misinformation.

An India Today report has revealed that intelligence oversights and anger over cow vigilante rumors were key factors that fueled the violence in Nuh.

Gurugram Police debunks misinformation

In the wake of the clashes, rumours began circulating on social media, suggesting that work-from-home orders had been imposed in Gurugram until a certain date.

This led to confusion and fear among residents. However, the Gurugram Police promptly addressed the situation, emphasizing that these claims were false and that all offices in the city remain open and operational.

On behalf of Gurugram Police..
We condemn such information spreading rumors..All offices are open and working, no restrictions on commuting anywhere within & out of gurugram .
Appeal to everyone..kindly refrain to spread rumors and misinformation please.

— Gurugram Police (@gurgaonpolice) August 1, 2023

The notification came after several posts on social media suggested that work from home has been imposed in Gurugram till August 4. Some posts said that employees were asked to leave work early due to clashes in the city.

Following clashes on Monday, schools and colleges were closed in Gurugram on Tuesday (August 1). However, no work from home was announced for employees.

What is happening in Haryana's Nuh?

The police urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors and misinformation, striving to restore calm and order in the region.

Latest updates

• Haryana Police has made 116 arrests and registered around 29 FIRs after the communal clashes in the state.
• A petition was moved in the Supreme Court seeking to stop the rallies announced by VHP and Bajrang Dal in Delhi-NCR following the Nuh communal violence. In its order on Wednesday, the top court said the "rallies can go on but should be video graphed".
• The VHP has called for a protest today against the clashes in the Mewat region. The VHP and Bajrang Dal have called for a Mahapanchayat at 4 pm on Wednesday at Bhisam Das Mandir in Manesar. The organisation will also hold a "major demonstration" in Noida.
• Delhi has been put on alert after fresh violence in Gurugram on Tuesday night. The Delhi Police enhanced patrolling in the national capital. A senior police officer said the force is prepared to respond to any situation arising in the national capital as a result of such incidents in neighboring areas, reported India Today.

• The Gurugram district magistrate has banned the sale of loose diesel and petrol at fuel stations across the district. "All fuel stations operating in Gurugram have been strictly prohibited from selling loose petrol/diesel to any person with immediate effect," a tweet from the DM read.
• Haryana Police has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 57 lakh for the deceased home guards' families. Two home guards were killed in the communal clashes in Nuh.
• There were no reports of fresh violence in Nuh and surrounding areas on Tuesday. Thirteen companies of paramilitary forces have reached the district, while six more companies were yet to arrive. Section 144 was imposed in Faridabad, Palwal, and Gurugram.
• Mobile internet is still down in Nuh and parts of Faridabad district.
• Security has been tightened in Noida as Bajrang Dal and VHP are planing to stage a protest over Nuh violence.

VIDEO | Security tightened in Noida as Bajrang Dal and VHP plan to stage protest over #Nuh violence. pic.twitter.com/KbAYN8t419

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 2, 2023

What happened in Nuh?

Nuh district in Haryana was gripped by violent communal clashes during a religious procession organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The 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 rumors of the presence of Monu Manesar, a controversial cow vigilante who had been accused earlier this year in the deaths of two Muslim men.

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.

Shops were vandalized, and an eatery was set on fire in Gurugram's Badshahpur on Tuesday. People also blocked a road and downed shutters over the attack on the VHP procession in Nuh.

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.

Intelligence oversights and anger over cow vigilante rumors fueled unrest

According to an India Today report, it has been revealed that warnings were issued about potential trouble during the VHP's procession, but inadequate measures were taken to prevent the escalation of the situation.

Furthermore, rumours surrounding the presence of a notorious cow vigilante Monu Manesar acted as a trigger for violence.

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.

The lack of clarity and management from senior officials contributed to the gathering of young men who further intensified the unrest.

Cyber police station targeted

Amid the violence, the cyber police station in Nuh was targeted by miscreants, who attacked and ransacked the facility.

Amidst the unrest, rioters targeted a cyber police station in Nuh, which has been grappling with cybercrime issues.

The crackdown on cybercrime had left villagers feeling targeted and harassed, adding to the mounting tension and hostility.