Chamoli: Chamoli riots: Accused arrested, case against ‘unidentified vandals’ | Agra News

Dehradun: As part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of a underage girl by a man from a minority community in Uttar Pradesh, which led to vandalism of shops in Nandanagar town in Chamoli district on Sunday, police arrested the accused from his hometown Bijnor.
Chamoli SP Sarvesh Panwar told TOI, “The accused Arif Khan, 26, was arrested last night. He was brought to Chamoli on Monday and produced before a local court, which sent him to jail. Investigations are on to trace the suspects who helped him escape from the town after the crime.”
The SP further said that a case had been filed against “300 unidentified accused” for vandalism of shops that took place after the news of the crime spread in the city.
“Despite appeals from the police not to take the law into their own hands, an investigation has been launched in this case to arrest those involved in the crime. No further incidents of violence have been reported and the police will soon hold meetings to strengthen social harmony with representatives of both sides,” Panwar added.
Meanwhile, local traders kept the market closed in protest on Monday. They also held a rally in the city together with members of some right-wing groups under heavy police presence.
A local trader who took part in Monday's demonstration said: “Although the accused has been arrested, people here want a crackdown on all outsiders involved in criminal activities such as drug smuggling. The shops will not reopen until the administration meets our demands.”
Khan fled the hill town of Uttarakhand after the August 22 crime in which he allegedly flashed the 14-year-old girl in her house. It came to light after the girl's father filed a complaint on August 31. Charges were filed against Khan and police teams were sent to Bijnor to fetch him.