Communal tension in Nainital after minor assaulted by senior citizen

Police keep vigil after two groups clashed on Wednesday night after the family of a minor lodged a rape complaint against an elderly man, in Nainital, Uttarakhand.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Communal tension came to the fore in Nainital town of Uttarakhand on Wednesday after a 12-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted by an elderly man from another community. An enraged mob went on a rampage ransacking the market as it vandalised shops owned by the community and vehicles parked on the roadsides.

Due to the tension breaking out amid peak tourism season, tourists who were in the hill station remained confined to their hotel rooms as police conducted peace meetings to maintain law and order.

According to the police, the alleged rape took place on April 12 and the FIR was lodged against the accused, named Usman, on the basis of a complaint registered by the victim’s mother on April 30.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prahlad Meena told media that the girl’s mother lived in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh and she was living with one of her relatives in Nainital.

“When the girl met her mother later in April, she narrated the incident to her mother who called the police. We immediately registered the FIR on the complaint and arrested the accused. Strict action will be taken against him,” Mr. Meena added. The accused was produced in court on Thursday and sent to jail under judicial custody.

Counselling for victim

To help the victim to cope with the incident, District Magistrate Vandana had ordered for a psychiatric counselling session of the minor victim.

As the news of the incident spread in the town, people gathered near the market where the accused used to work, and vandalised shops run by the minority community. People working in the shops were assaulted and vehicles on the road were vandalised. Stones were hurled at a religious structure of the minority community.

Communal slogans were raised by members of some right-wing outfits who also staged demonstrations outside the police station and demanded stern action against the accused.

Appeal for peace

Mr. Meena appealed to the protestors to remain calm and maintain peace in the town. “Do not indulge in any activity that may cost Nainital’s image as a tourist destination,” the SSP added.

As the incident forced the markets, shops and other establishments to shut down, tourists started leaving the town.

Vinod Rawat, a hotelier at Mallitaal, said tourists began leaving Nainital from early morning on Thursday and many have also cancelled advance bookings done for the weekend due to restrictions placed in the hill town by the police.

NCW takes cognisance

The incident drew criticism from the National Commission for Women (NCW). “NCM strongly condemns the horrific crime reported from Nainital involving the rape of a Class 7 girl. NCW has taken cognizance and Chairperson has sent a letter to the DGP of Uttarakhand to ensure swift action, victim support, and a time-bound, fair investigation,” the Commission said on its X handle.