Three days after violence broke out in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani over the demolition of an illegally constructed madrasa, the main accused has been arrested.

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State government officials told CNN-News18 that Abdul Malik was arrested in Delhi and brought to Haldwani. “He is being questioned by the police,” a police officer said.

At least six rioters were killed and 100 injured when violence erupted in Haldwani on Thursday after local authorities began demolishing a madrasa and a prayer place in Bhanbhoopura. Malik allegedly owned gardens built around the buildings. Malik allegedly encroached on government-owned “nazool” land.

Malik was arrested along with his son and three others. The five – Malik, Jisan Parvez, Javed Siddiqui, Mehboob Alam and Arshad Ayub – were charged with rioting, arson, damage to public property and The charge of obstructing a public servant. Javed Siddiqui is the brother of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mateen Siddiqui. Police claimed he was identified after scanning CCTV footage of the rioters.

Local intelligence suggested the violence was premeditated. Police are trying to find out if there is a conspiracy.

Hours before the incident, the Uttarakhand Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.

More than 5,000 people, including women, are under police scanner. CCTV footage and mobile footage are being scanned to identify the suspects. A video captured Malik’s heated argument with local officials.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said rioters attacked police and police stations were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and police vehicles were set on fire.

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“Uttarakhand is ‘Dev Bhoomi’ and such things have never happened here. Some people tried to spoil the atmosphere of ‘Dev Bhoomi’ and take the law into their own hands. Journalists were also attacked with their cameras were broken into and public properties were set on fire. The video footage will be checked and action will be taken. The law will take its course,” the chief minister told the media.