NAINITAL/DEHRADUN: Shops were vandalised, schools and businesses shut as communal violence erupted in Nainital after the arrest of a 75-year-old man from a minority community on charges of raping a 12-year-old girl. The accused, identified as Mohammed Usman, a Class D contractor with the public works department, had allegedly lured the girl — who is in Class 7 — to a secluded location on April 12 and sexually assaulted her, according to a complaint filed by her family.

Though the incident occurred weeks earlier, it remained unreported until Wednesday, when the girl disclosed the assault to her parents, prompting them to approach the local police. Following the filing of a formal complaint, officers took her for a medical examination. While the girl was at the hospital, news of the case spread and, within hours, groups began to gather.

Nainital SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena told TOI that police were actively investigating the incident and had already taken the accused into custody. "We understand the gravity of the situation and are conducting a thorough probe," he said. "We urge all residents and visitors to maintain calm, avoid spreading rumours, and cooperate with law enforcement."