Two persons were killed and three critically injured in the violence that broke out over the demolition of an illegally-built madrasa and a place for offering namaz inside its premises in the town where curfew has been imposed and shoot-at-sight orders issued.
Nainital District Magistrate (DM) Vandana Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena, who held a joint press conference here on Friday, confirmed the two deaths in the violence that broke out on Thursday.
Meena said the police had to use force in self-defence.
The situation in the town is under control with curfew imposed and around 1,100 police personnel deployed there, he said.
Giving details, the DM said the structures stood on encroached government land and were demolished after a prior notice in compliance of a court order.
The demolition drive began after the Municipal corporation had taken complete legal possession of the two structures, she said.
Rioting by residents of the area began 30 minutes after the demolition of the two structures which were not registered, the DM said.