Haldwani (Uttarakhand), Feb 9 (Reporter) Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh on Friday said the violent incidents in Haldwani of Uttarakhand during a demolition drive were “pre-planned” and the purpose of miscreants was to challenge the government directly. Addressing a press conference here, the DM said that the rioters were planning the attack for several days and their purpose was to directly confront the government by setting the police station on fire Thursday. She said an anti-encroachment drive has been going in several parts of Haldwani for a long time and many illegal encroachments have been removed. Vandana Singh said that the property was neither a religious place nor a private property. There is no mention of any religious place even in documents. Two structures were built by encroaching on Nazul land. Stating that the entire attack by the miscreants was well, planned, the DM told mediapersons that as per their plan, stones were collected and secured on the rooftops of nearby houses and this did not happen in a day or two. A large mob, without any provocation, first started pelting stones at the Municipal Corporation and administration team which was removing the encroachment but the police team immediately removed them. Government and private vehicles parked outside the police station were set on fire. An attempt was made to set the police station, officers and weapons on fire. After this, the administration took stern steps and ordered a curfew as well as the use of force against the miscreants. Shoot at sight order was also issued but the mob did not stop and surrounded the Gandhinagar area. The miscreants were somehow driven away from there, the official added. She said the rioters attacked the police without any provocation. Their purpose was to challenge the authority. The rioters completely damaged the Banbhoolpura police station and property. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) PS Meena said that two people died in this entire incident. The dead are being identified. Moreover, some police personnel and media persons have also sustained injuries in the incident. The police are also investigating whose gunshots killed the two youths. The District administration has started the process of identifying rioters and strict action will be taken against the perpetrators. The DM said the situation was under control. The internet service has been suspended in the affected area. Heavy police force has been deployed and curfew will continue till further orders...////...