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On Sunday, a mob of Hindus vandalized at least half a dozen shops owned by Muslims in Chamoli’s Nandanagar, Uttarakhand. The attacks were sparked by allegations that a 25-year-old Muslim man made an inappropriate gesture towards a minor girl in the area.
During a procession organized by the mob, they specifically targeted and ransacked 5-6 shops owned by Muslims, removing goods and causing damage. Local authorities reported that the shops were identified as Muslim-owned before being attacked.
Chamoli SP Sarvesh Panwar stated that a complaint was filed at Nandprayag police station on Saturday, accusing Arif Khan, a salon worker in Nandanagar, of molesting a 14-year-old girl on August 22. “We received a complaint that the accused exposed himself to the girl. We have filed an FIR under relevant sections, including POCSO. The accused is currently on the run, and we are working to apprehend him,” Panwar said.
In response to the violence, security measures have been increased in the area.