Nainital: After the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nainital on Wednesday, the situation remained tense on Thursday as well. Angry locals protested outside the Kumaon Commissionerate and Kotwali since morning. On the call of the protesters, all shops, hotels, restaurants and dhabas from Tallital to Mallital remained completely closed, due to which normal life remained disrupted.
Due to the panic spread after the incident, most of the tourists checked out from the hotels in the morning itself. This has had a bad effect on the tourism industry and about 30% of the bookings of hotels and homestays in the city have been cancelled. In view of the increasing tension, the administration declared early holiday in all the schools of the city as a precautionary measure.
Police force has been deployed at every nook and corner to maintain law and order in the city. People are being allowed entry only after strict security checks at all the entry points of the city. After the rape case came to light on Wednesday night, various organizations of the city took out a protest march from Mallital to Kotwali. During this, some shops of a particular community were closed and there were also reports of some people being beaten up. After the incident of stone pelting at a religious place, the police had to use mild force.
Taking immediate action, the police have arrested 65-year-old contractor Usman in the case. Nainital SSP PN Meena said that a case was registered against the accused contractor on Wednesday night itself and on Thursday he was produced in the POCSO court in Haldwani and sent to jail.
The High Court took suo motu cognizance of this serious incident and the public anger that arose after it on Thursday. The court directed the administration to ensure deployment of adequate police force so that the atmosphere of the city does not deteriorate. The court has also ordered to keep a close watch on those spreading rumors.
