As shutters fell, chaos erupted: Haldwani burned for four hours as violence flared over cattle remains; a new twist emerged in the CCTV footage.

After cattle remains were discovered in Haldwani, unrest broke out on Bareilly Road for nearly four hours on Sunday night. As tension rose and fears of escalation spread, shopkeepers quickly pulled down their shutters, and stores near the lane leading to the temple were locked. When Shama Deluxe Restaurant stayed open despite the stone-pelting, it further angered some youths, prompting police to shut it down. Due to the timely intervention of both the police and residents, the city narrowly avoided a communal clash. Meanwhile, CCTV footage introduced a surprising turn—showing a dog carrying the cattle remains. Around 7:30 p.m., people spotted the remains near the temple, and the news quickly circulated throughout the city. Within minutes, groups of youths gathered at the site, shouting slogans. Police teams from multiple stations arrived, and a forensic team also began its investigation. After 8 p.m., the crowd grew larger and more aggressive, with some individuals vandalizing a car. The situation intensified when stones were thrown at Shama Deluxe Restaurant, shattering its front glass. Several diners inside ran out in panic. Stones were also hurled at police officers. As the crowd became unruly, police used batons to disperse them, leading to chaos. Many fled, while a few were detained. Following the incident, Mayor Gajraj Singh Bisht reached the spot and spoke with police officials. He urged the youths to remain calm and assured them that the police were conducting a thorough investigation and reviewing CCTV footage. Footage from a nearby house revealed that the remains had been brought by a dog. The video shows the dog arriving with the severed head in its mouth, placing it near a house in front of the temple, and then leaving. Police are continuing to examine the footage closely.