INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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
