Haryana Violence: Police Chief Of Nuh, On Leave During Communal Riots That Killed 6, Transferred

The police chief of Nuh district in Haryana, where communal clashes occurred when a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally was attacked, has been transferred to Bhiwani district, which is approximately 160 km away.

IPS officer Narendra Bijarniya, who had been serving as the acting Superintendent of Police during the violence, previously led the police force in Nuh district from February 2020 to October 2021.

He has now replaced Varun Singla, who was on leave when the clashes broke out.

In the absence of Singla, Narendra Bijarniya was quickly dispatched from Bhiwani to Nuh when the clashes began. Following the "intense communal tension" in the area, permanent orders have been issued for his appointment as the Superintendent of Police.

Over the past few days, clashes erupted in Nuh and spread to Gurugram after a VHP rally was attacked by Islamists. Tragically, six people, including two home guards and a cleric, lost their lives in the violence.

Unruly mobs also set fire to several vehicles, food joints, and shops.

The police were taken by surprise when provocative videos began circulating on social media, falsely implicating Monu Manesar, a Bajrang Dal leader, who is allegedly involved in the killing of two Muslim men earlier this year.

These videos claimed to show him attending the religious procession alongside his supporters, which were then used to instigate the mobs from the minority community to attack the rally.

Narendra Bijarniya, commenting on the situation, stated that they never anticipated such widespread violence occurring.

Efforts were made to monitor social media activity, and the district police had made necessary arrangements based on their observations. However, they did not foresee the scale of violence that unfolded.

Acknowledging the shortcomings, Bijarniya assured that top officials are currently investigating the matter to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

According to their records, Monu Manesar did not visit Nuh, and the violence was instigated by unfounded rumours purposefully circulated on social media.

The Haryana government has requested an additional four companies of central forces due to the ongoing incidents of arson and vandalism in Gurugram.

Unfortunately, a Bajrang Dal activist has also lost his life in the hospital.

Late on Tuesday (1 August) night, mobs set fire to five godowns and ransacked two meat shops in Gurugram district. It is reported that these mobs often disperse before the police can arrive at the scene.

The violence continued on Wednesday (2 August), with two 'jhuggis' being set on fire and a tea shop being vandalised. In another slum area, several huts were also ransacked.

Currently, Haryana has deployed a total of 20 companies of central forces across the state. Fourteen companies are stationed in Nuh, three in Palwal, two in Gurugram, and one in Faridabad.

These forces are working in conjunction with the state police to address the ongoing unrest.

A total of 176 individuals have been arrested and more than 90 have been detained in the state thus far. There have been 41 registered cases related to these incidents.

In response to the intense communal tension and disruption of public peace, the government initially suspended mobile Internet and SMS services in Nuh district starting from 4 pm on Monday. This restriction was later extended to other parts of the state until 2 August.

Subsequently, the order was further extended until 5 August.

Officials have announced that Internet services will be restored today from 12 pm to 3 pm to allow people to purchase essential items.

Prohibitory orders remain in effect in Nuh, Gurugram, and other districts that have been affected by these incidents.