Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – A 53-year-old Muslim, Mohammad Israr, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday in a hospital in Uttarakhand’s troubled city of Haldwani. Israr breathed his last in the hospital after sustaining bullet injuries to his head during the violence that broke out in Ghafoor Basti locality in the jurisdiction of Banbhulpura police station of the city on 8 February.
Reports indicate that the bullet had penetrated deep into Israr’s head. Besides Israr, Albashar and Shahnawaz also sustained critical injuries in the firing and were hospitalised immediately. Their condition still continues to be serious, reports said.
The death toll stemming from the violence in Haldwani has now risen to six according to official figures, with two others still in critical condition and receiving treatment at Sushila Tiwari Hospital, reports reaching here said. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with forensic analysis aimed at determining the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Violence erupted on February 8 following clashes between protesters and law enforcement authorities over the demolition of a madrassa and mosque situated in Malik Ka Bagicha of Banbhulpura, deemed illegal by the authorities.
Local residents, speaking to Clarion India, allege that the situation escalated due to police intervention, contrary to official claims denying any provocation.
The District Magistrate, addressing media inquiries on February 9, emphasised that the police and administration had acted responsibly and denied any involvement in the deaths attributed to police firing.
Contrasting accounts persist, with locals alleging police gunfire during the unrest. Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar, cautioned against communalising the incident and assured that legal action would be taken against the perpetrators. He also said no innocent individuals will be targeted.
The aftermath of the violence has left many injured, including civilians and law enforcement personnel. However, amidst the chaos, accusations of harassment of Muslim families by the police have surfaced. Victims’ families, speaking anonymously, describe instances of nighttime raids and intimidation, prompting some to flee their homes in fear.
