Mahapanchayat by Hindu Outfit Held in Gurugram Despite Section 144 in Place

The meeting, which has been called by the Hindu Samaj, was in protest against 'wrongful' arrests.

A mahapanchayat was organised by a Hindu outfit at Tigra village in Haryana's Gurugram district on Sunday, 6 August, six days after communal clashes broke out in Nuh district and surrounding areas, claiming at least six lives.

The meeting, which was called by the Hindu Samaj, was in protest against the 'wrongful' arrests made in connection with the post-violence demonstrations held across the city. Police had barred outsiders from entering Tigra village and have beefed up security.

The gathering, however, did not have police permission, NDTV quoted a top police official as saying. Moreover, it was being conducted despite Section 144 being imposed in the region.

Early last week, communal clashes erupted in Nuh during a religious procession, which then spread to other districts in Haryana, including Gurugram, where a mosque was set on fire, killing the naib imam.

'Gurugram Has Been Peaceful...'

Earlier on Sunday, ACP DLF Gurugram Vishal Kaushik told news agency ANI that the organisers "have assured us that the panchayat will happen peacefully."

"For the past two-three days, Gurugram has been peaceful. No incident has been reported. We feel that today's panchayat will be carried out peacefully. We have had talks with all sides. They have assured us that the panchayat will happen peacefully... The panchayat starts at 9 am. Some 500-1,000 people are expected to come," he said.

Meanwhile, several establishments were demolished in Nuh on Sunday, including a three-storey hotel called 'Sahara Hotel'. The district administration said the hotel was allegedly used by rioters to pelt stones during the violence.

More than 45 illegal structures and 13-15 temporary illegal structures were bulldozed near the Nalhar Medical College on Saturday, Sub Divisional Magistrate of Nuh Ashwini Kumar said while addressing the press.