Dehradun, May 2 -- Communal tensions erupted in popular hill town Nainital on Wednesday evening after a 65-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl, police said. The town remained tense on Thursday as the traders shut their shops and locals staged a protest march demanding the culprit be hanged till death. The accused was produced in the court in Haldwani in tight security. The court sent him to 14-day judicial custody. The police on Wednesday registered a first information report (FIR) against building contractor Usman (who according to police goes by one name) for allegedly raping the minor girl in his car on April 12. The FIR was registered under section 65 (1) (Punishment for rape in certain cases of rape on a woman under sixteen years) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Posco Act at Mallital police station. In the complaint, the victim's family alleged that the accused, who lives in their neighbourhood, raped the girl in his car by luring her with some money on April 12. The minor girl lives with relatives in Nainital and her mother lives in Sambhal of Uttar Pradesh. The girl confided about the incident to her mother on Wednesday. The police arrested the accused. Locals, including members of Hindu right-wing organisations, and a traders' body, first gathered at the Mallital police station at around 9pm, asking the police to hand over the accused, and then assaulted members of the Muslim community and vandalised their shops in Gaadi Padav area. The crowd then assembled outside the Jama Masjid and pelted stones at the mosque, all while raising provocative slogans. The police were able to bring the situation under control at around 12.30am. Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said, "We received a complaint at the Mallital police station over the sexual assault of a minor girl. We immediately registered an FIR, arrested the accused, and conducted a medical examination of the girl. In protest of this incident, local youth staged demonstrations. The police took prompt and effective action to maintain law and order, dispersed the crowd, and restored peace in the area. Currently, the situation in Nainital and Haldwani is normal. Additional forces have been deployed." "I appeal to the public to remain calm as the police are taking strict action in the case. Do not fall for any misleading or provocative messages. Tourists planning to visit the area can do so without any concern," he added. Superintendent of police, crime, Jagdish Chandra said, "We brought the situation under control at around 12.30 am. The town is peaceful now. Those who were involved in vandalism are being identified. Strict action will be taken against them. We have also deployed a police team at the accused's house in anticipation of vandalism." Al Kareem restaurant was one of several eateries vandalised by the mob on Wednesday night. Nazim Kareem (60), owner of Al Kareem restaurant, said the mob vandalised every shop of their community in Gaadi Padav area and assaulted the staff, and owners."At around 9.30 pm, the mob came and started vandalising our restaurant and beating our staff. We ran away to save our lives. It was later we came to know that they were protesting over the rape of the minor girl," Kareem said. "I opened the restaurant in a rented place in 2008. Since then, no such incidents happened. We lived in harmony with everyone," he said. Kareem said he had gone back to his native place in Moradabad and feared if he would be able to open his restaurant again. Sahil of Aalam Biryani restaurant said, "Even the police couldn't do anything when they were vandalising our shops and assaulting the people." Anjuman Islamia Committee on Thursday condemned the incident and said it stands with the minor girl and that the perpetrator should be punished. The committee said it was hurt by "attack on the mosque" and vandalism of shops and demanded that officials take strict action against culprits....