A trader’s body in Uttarakhand’s Dharchula has forced Muslim shopkeepers to down shutters and given a call for their removal from the town after two traders from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh allegedly lured two minor girls.
The Dharchula Vyapar Sangh has cancelled the membership of 91 traders, mostly Muslims, and its members have stopped them from opening their shops over the past three days, PTI reported on Tuesday.
They have also asked landlords to oust such “outsiders”.
The two traders from Bareilly, who were arrested in February for allegedly luring the minor girls, were charged under IPC sections of 363 (kidnapping), 376 (sexual assault), 354 (use of criminal force to outrage the modesty of a woman) and POCSO Act, Dharchula SHO Parvez Ali said.
The incident in Dharchula is a repeat of what had happened in Purola of Uttarkashi district in June last year where Hindutva groups called for a complete ban on Muslims after an alleged elopement bid involving a youth and a minor girl from different communities.
“We have registered an FIR against elements who forced the shop owners to shut their shops,” Pithoragarh District Magistrate Reena Joshi said.“No unlawful activity will be allowed. Traders from outside doing business in the town will be given full protection.”
Dharchula SDM Manjit Singh said the traders whose membership has been cancelled are being provided full security by the district administration.
Though the girls were rescued and the accused were arrested soon after the incident, tension has been brewing against the traders from outside doing business in the town.
