Dehradun youth arrested for uploading 'objectionable' post on demolition of mazar, Pahalgam attack

Dehradun: A youth was arrested for allegedly uploading a poster on social media on the Pahalgam terror attack and the demolition of a 'mazar' inside Government Doon Hospital, Dehradun carried out by the local administration, officials said.

The youth allegedly threatened to demolish a temple in a Facebook post and is accused of making an "objectionable" remark against the Pahalgam attack in which terrorists killed 26 people.

Police registered a case in the matter and one Sahil Khan was arrested on Saturday. Khan, a resident of Nehru Colony, Dehradun, works as an auto driver.

Police said the 'mazar' was razed because it was an "illegal" construction. The city administration demolished the structure using two JCB excavators on Friday night in the presence of police after sealing the area.

The Uttarakhand Waqf Board, however, claimed that the 'mazar' was "100 years old" and was a legal structure.

The district administration claimed that the 'mutawalli' (manager) of the 'mazar' was given a notice to submit documents. However, people associated with the management of the 'mazar' claimed they have not received any notice.

Police said some people are circulating videos of the demolition on social media, which they said "may spoil the social harmony".

Officials said police are monitoring social media to identify those circulating such videos and warned that strict action will be taken against them.

Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams expressed his displeasure over the demolition of the 'mazar', saying he has approached Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

"The chief minister has assured he will get the matter investigated and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty," Shams said, adding that only an investigation can determine which side is right.

He added that since the property was notified in Waqf records, the Waqf Board should also have been taken into confidence before taking any action.

Patients admitted at the hospital and their families used to come to the 'mazar' and offer 'chadar', Shams said.