Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh has approved the Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill, allowing for full recovery of damages caused to public property during riots or protests, along with fines of up to Rs 8 lakh for offenders. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that this legislation aims to deter individuals from damaging public property, stating that every paisa lost will be recovered from the responsible parties. Introduced following riots in Haldwani that resulted in significant property damage and loss of life, the law is touted as the toughest anti-riot legislation in the country. Rioters will also be liable for the costs incurred by the government for riot control measures. The bill, initially presented as an ordinance in March, follows violent clashes over the demolition of encroached structures, which had previously led to injuries among police and journalists.