1 Dead, Several Hospitalised in Violent Clashes in Haryana’s Nuh; Section 144 Imposed

Internet services have been shut down and Section 144 has been imposed following violent clashes that broke out between two communities in Haryana’s Nuh district during a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally on Monday. One person died and over 15 people, including police personnel, were injured in the clashes, during which vehicles were torched, according to News18 reports.

Tensions reached a boiling point over the alleged presence of Monu Manesar, a prominent cow vigilante and member of Bajrang Dal, who is wanted for the murder of two men in Rajasthan, during the VHP’s ‘Shobha Yatra’ rally.

The atmosphere in the Gurugram-Alwar National Highway near Nuh city become tense following stone pelting during the rally.

Police resorted to lobbing teargas shells to disperse crowds as tension gripped the area.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said additional forces have been dispatched from neighboring districts. “We are also trying to send forces by helicopter," he told PTI. “Our first priority is to bring situation under control. We are appealing to all to maintain peace," Vij said.

1 Dead, Cops Among Over 15 Injured

One person has died due to the violence that broke out earlier in the day, according to latest reports. Three people admitted to a hospital are said to be in critical condition, a local hospital in the area told News18.

Additionally, 15 people have been admitted to another local district hospital, out of which five are police officials.

Vehicles Set Ablaze, Section 144 Imposed

Several vehicles, including government and private, were set on fire and stones were also pelted at the police. The police also fired to quell the incident.

According to latest reports, the overall situation in the area remains tense, with sporadic incidents being reported at various places.

Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of people were clamped in the entire district. Mobile internet services were suspended till Wednesday to contain the “intense communal tension," the Haryana government said.

Over 1,000 Police Deployed, Flag March Held in Nuh

To address the situation in the city, over one thousand police personnel have been deployed. Additionally, officials using loudspeakers have instructed residents to stay in their homes.

Additional police forces have been urgently summoned from neighboring districts Palwal, Faridabad and Rewari.

Police also conducted a flag march following the unrest.

Shops around Tiranga Park shuttered their doors in response to the unrest, according to reports. As the intensity grew, the shops across Nuh City closed their businesses, including the bustling main market, Naya Bazar, Gali Bazar and Hodal Bypass.

Streets were seen enveloped in black smoke.

The VHP had in a statement earlier said the Brajmandal (Mewat) Jalabhishek Yatra, under the auspices of Vishva Hindu Parishad’s Yuva Shakti Bajrang Dal, commenced from Nalhad Mahadev Temple at 10:00 am and would conclude at Shringar Temple, Punhana.

Monu Manesar’s Video

Murder accused Monu Manesar, who has been absconding for the last five months, landed in the police scanner after he released a video earlier in the day, suggesting his presence in the yatra. The police team from Rajasthan’s Bharatpur was sent to Nuh to arrest him.

The stone-pelting incident occurred at a chowk located approximately 2 km from a temple, a India TV report said. VHP workers also retaliated against the attackers with stones, it said.

Monu Manesar, a self-proclaimed cow protector, is wanted for the abduction and murder of Nasir (25) and Junaid alias Juna (35) in February, both residents of Ghatmeeka village in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. A case was registered against him on February 7 at Pataudi police station. Earlier this year, the Gurugram police in Haryana conducted raids to apprehend him in the murder attempt case.

Congress MLA from Nuh, Ch Aftab Ahmed said, “We are appealing to people to maintain peace and not pay heed to rumors. The situation is unfortunate. I have never seen such a failure of administration and police."