Violence erupted in a northern Indian state after the demolition of a mosque, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals.

Authorities claimed the mosque was constructed illegally and carried out what they termed an "anti-encroachment drive" in Haldwani town, Uttarakhand.

The drive aimed to remove illegal constructions, including the mosque and an adjacent madrassa (religious school). However, Muslim worshippers at the mosque feel unfairly singled out.

Clashes between protesters and police occurred on Thursday evening, leaving hundreds injured. Videos captured protesters burning vehicles and hurling stones while police responded with tear gas.

To quell the unrest, a curfew was imposed, and the state issued "shoot at sight" orders.

The incident unfolded in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, where the district had previously seen protests in January last year after thousands, mostly Muslims, faced eviction notices alleging illegal occupation of land owned by the Indian Railways. These demolitions were halted by India's highest court.

Officials cited a high court order mandating the removal of illegal settlements in the region as the basis for the recent action.

District Magistrate Vandana Singh clarified that the mosque and madrassa were demolished due to unauthorized construction on government land, without being registered as religious structures.

Ms. Singh stated that the operation was not biased against any particular community and began peacefully, but escalated when a mob attacked officials.

She asserted that the mosque's administration had been notified in advance about the impending demolition, a claim contested by locals who argue that the demolition occurred before the court could reach a final decision.

"When the administration came [to demolish the structures] we asked them to stop until the next court hearing. But they did not listen.

If they had waited for the final decision of the court, there would have been no resistance [from us]," Shakeel Ahmad, a local councillor, told the Indian Express newspaper.

Tensions over demolitions of mosques have risen in the past few months.

Muslim groups say they feel unfairly targeted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government and accuse it of religious polarisation ahead of the general elections due in two months. The government denies the allegation.

On Friday, the situation remained tense in Haldwani as authorities snapped internet services and ordered a complete shutdown.

Schools in Banbhoolpura will remain shut for the next few days and thousands of police personnel have been deployed to monitor the situation.

The violence comes days after Uttarakhand passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a new common law for all residents, regardless of religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

Different religious groups in India have their own personal laws which govern issues like marriage, divorce and inheritance.

Muslims in Uttarakhand have rejected the UCC, calling it an interference with their Islamic practices.

Too bad