Dehradun: Following the molestation charges levelled by a woman against a Muslim shopkeeper in Dehradun’s Paltan Bazar on Monday, the agitated shopkeepers kept their shop shut in protest and demanded the ouster of Muslim traders in the market. Later, Dehradun police, on Tuesday, launched a verification drive and nabbed 134 such vendors without any valid ID.
This incident happened at a shoe shop when a girl visited Paltan Bazar in Dehradun on Monday. In Paltan Bazar, this girl was allegedly molested by an employee at a footwear shop. After the girl’s complaint, locals apprehended the young man working at the shop and brought him to the police station.
Traders have demanded the removal of Muslim traders from Paltan Bazar
On Monday, traders kept Paltan Bazaar closed for 10 hours in protest against the molestation of a girl student in a shoe shop. Prior to this, shopkeepers from the other side also closed their shops in protest against the assault and went to hand over their keys to the District Magistrate. They also demanded the ouster of Muslim traders from the market. This incident has led to heightened tensions in the area, with several shops closing in protest.
A heavy police force was deployed in the area
To maintain peace and communal harmony, a large police force was deployed in the area. The police arrested the youth accused of molestation from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Umar, under sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Additionally, the police have detained multiple suspects during a verification drive and are taking measures to ensure safety and order.
Suggestions for women safety
According to the Dehradun Police, the verification drive for out-of-state vendors was initiated following a meeting between the district administration and local residents in the market area. Suggestions from the meeting included creating separate booths for women, increasing patrols by women police officers, and installing more CCTV cameras in the market areas. According to Dehradun SSP, Ajai Singh, challans will be issued to vendors doing business in the market without verification.
Uttarakhand is seeing “anti-outsider” sentiment
After the Chamoli’s molestation case with a minor girl in Nandanagar, Uttarakhand is witnessing anti-outsider sentiments as sign boards were put up in Rudraprayag villagers banning entry of outsiders for business in the area. These outsiders were warned with dire consequences if not following the instructions.