As one more person named Mohammed Israr succumbs to his gunshot wounds in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani in the aftermath of the February 8th protests which took place after the authorities came and authorised the demolition of a reportedly illegal madrasa named Malik Ka Bagicha in Haldwani. A latest report has come in, stating that the Nainital Local Intelligence Unit had sent a report to the police commissioner and the district magistrate that protests would occur by locals if the mosque were to be demolished. According to Deccan Herald, Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar refused to comment on the report saying that a magisterial enquiry is currently ongoing..
A few days from the demolition, which saw initially five civilians dead and over 60 people injured, the police have started investigations and now the total number of people taken into custody has now reached 30, according to Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena.
The Municipal Corporation has made public a recovery notice which shows an amount that is up to Rs 2.44 crore against one Abdul Malik who said by the police to be a ‘key’ accused. The notice stated that Malik, along with his supporters organised an attack on the team that was going to be conducting a demolition drive and thus, this resulted in damage to government properties belonging to the municipal corporation.
According to Hindustan Times, a number of BJP Members of Parliament have alleged that the violence in Haldwani was organised as part of a conspiracy and that there is no need for leniency with ‘them’. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harnath Yadav has stated that, “The incident in Haldwani is a conspiracy. Bombs, country pistols, and other weapons were used, and government officials and police were attacked. There should be an order to shoot rioters at sight… There is no need to be lenient with them.”
However, local residents have stated that they are being harassed by the police. A report by Al Jazeera stated that Muslims injured with gunshot wounds are left untreated due to fear. One of injured told the media house that he is afraid to go to government hospitals as they fear the police would arrest them unjustly. Private hospitals, they say, is something they cannot afford. As reported by Scroll, residents claim that police officials forced themselves in their homes, and even assaulted women as they detained their men in the Banphoolpura area. In response to such allegations, Uttarakhand Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar, reportedly told Scroll, “We have no intention of acting against anyone without evidence.” Kumar further stated that police had faced aggression from “a well-prepared” and violent mob at the area. According to police accounts, the mob pelted stones, torched cars and even the police station.
The Print spoke to families of those who were killed and are no in mourning after the incidents have left their loved ones dead. One family has also alleged that their neighbours, a man named Sonkar who along with his sons was trying to torch their vehicles. Sonkar had also reportedly used anti-Muslim slurs against the family previously. They reportedly also saw Sonkar firing. The Print reports the case of one Usman Shaban, who had gone to look for his brother but was short directly at the back and declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Another of the men who was shot dead was from Bihar’s Araria, Prakash Kumar, who had arrived at Haldwani in search of work the very same day he was shot dead. The police have stated that they will impose the NSA against ‘unruly elements’.
Investigation and the “planned violence”
Meanwhile, a report by India News alleges that over 300 Muslims families have fled from the area. Several of them had to migrate by foot as no travelling conveyance was available to the then in effect curfew.
On Sunday, a delegation from Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind visited Haldwani met with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). Following the meeting with the SDM, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Abdul Raziq, publicly voiced concerns that the decision to demolish the mosque was made ‘hastily’ by the administration, and stated that, “We came here to appeal for peace in the area. We have requested the SDM to ensure that actions are not taken against innocent people. It has happened because the demolition drive was carried out suddenly.” Congress member and MLA of Haldwani too had earlier mentioned that the demolition came into place with the administration’s ‘jaldbaazi’. It is to be of note that reports attest that the demolition of the mosque was still at the time subjudice.
Related:
Haldwani: Day after 5 Muslims killed, fear and tension grip the region as internet ban continues
Demolitions as retributive state policy used against minorities in India: Amnesty