DEHRADUN: In the wake of simmering communal tensions that started from Purola town in Uttarkashi and spread to other parts of Uttarakhand, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told TOI on Tuesday said he is committed to bringing back peace to the restive areas and that “we” are not against anyone, “but will not allow Uttarakhand to become a soft target for love jihad“.
He added, “In the last few months, there has been a spurt in the number of such incidents on the ground. We live with the spirit of brotherhood but it does not mean such wrongful acts will be allowed. I have asked the DGP to look into the matter, compile a report and take action.”
The CM said, “We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace. No one will be allowed to disrupt the law and order situation at Purola or anywhere in the state. Anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will not be spared. Teams of district officials and police have spoken to people in Purola and repeated requests have been made to maintain peace.”
Asked about Waqf Board members, including a BJP leader, and prominent members of the minority community meeting him to seek protection for Muslims, Dhami said, “For years and generations, people have lived together in the hills. We assured the delegation that no harm would be done to anyone. They raised certain issues with us and the officials have been directed to look into those.”
To a question regarding the issue of “demographic changes” that he has been raising of late, Dhami explained: “We had been getting inputs on demographic changes taking place in Uttarakhand, especially in the hills. The hills are known for beautiful locations and peace. However, we were forced to look into the matter, and also find out the motive of people shifting to these pockets. Areas which have witnessed demographic changes are also witnessing issues related to law and order. Therefore, I have asked the police to take this seriously. From now on, proper verification of people coming from other states and settling here would be done. We do not want any person with a foul intention to enter the state. The police brass has been directed to conduct verification drives on a regular basis.
Told that the government is also talking about “land jihad,” the CM said, “Encroaching upon government land is illegal. Our teams found that such encroachments had happened at thousands of locations. We gave notice to the encroachers and set a deadline to vacate the government land. Failing which, they were forcefully removed. We will continue with our drive till the time all the encroachments are removed.”
He added, “In the last few months, there has been a spurt in the number of such incidents on the ground. We live with the spirit of brotherhood but it does not mean such wrongful acts will be allowed. I have asked the DGP to look into the matter, compile a report and take action.”
The CM said, “We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace. No one will be allowed to disrupt the law and order situation at Purola or anywhere in the state. Anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will not be spared. Teams of district officials and police have spoken to people in Purola and repeated requests have been made to maintain peace.”
Asked about Waqf Board members, including a BJP leader, and prominent members of the minority community meeting him to seek protection for Muslims, Dhami said, “For years and generations, people have lived together in the hills. We assured the delegation that no harm would be done to anyone. They raised certain issues with us and the officials have been directed to look into those.”
To a question regarding the issue of “demographic changes” that he has been raising of late, Dhami explained: “We had been getting inputs on demographic changes taking place in Uttarakhand, especially in the hills. The hills are known for beautiful locations and peace. However, we were forced to look into the matter, and also find out the motive of people shifting to these pockets. Areas which have witnessed demographic changes are also witnessing issues related to law and order. Therefore, I have asked the police to take this seriously. From now on, proper verification of people coming from other states and settling here would be done. We do not want any person with a foul intention to enter the state. The police brass has been directed to conduct verification drives on a regular basis.
Told that the government is also talking about “land jihad,” the CM said, “Encroaching upon government land is illegal. Our teams found that such encroachments had happened at thousands of locations. We gave notice to the encroachers and set a deadline to vacate the government land. Failing which, they were forcefully removed. We will continue with our drive till the time all the encroachments are removed.”
