India: At least 5 killed in protest over demolition of mosque

At least five people have been killed and dozens others injured during a protest sparked by the demolition of a mosque and a religious school in India, the latest in a spate of demolitions targeting Muslim structures.

Municipal authorities in Haldwani town in the northern state of Uttarakhand bulldozed the buildings on Thursday, saying they had been built without permission.

Police said Muslims torched vehicles and threw stones at them in the protest that followed, prompting them to fire live ammunition and tear gas in response.

According to local authorities, the protest was linked to a government drive to demolish a “property that is neither registered as religious site nor has it been given any such recognition”. But residents said the mosque and the school in Haldwani’s Banphoolpur area were nearly two decades old and had been unfairly targeted.

Authorities in Haldwani have given shoot-on-sight orders, imposed a curfew, suspended internet services, closed schools and banned large gatherings.