This past Monday, February 12th, witnessed a significant gathering at the Haldwani Nagar Nigam office. A Muslim Peace Committee engaged in a crucial dialogue with Nainital's Senior Superintendent of Police, Prahlad Narayan Meena, and District Magistrate, Vandana Singh. The assembly was organized shortly after an incident where a group from the Muslim community clashed with local law enforcement and the Haldwani Municipal Corporation. This confrontation occurred following the demolition of a madrasa, which was reportedly built on government land without authorization.

In the course of the meeting, Vandana Singh conveyed a firm message, emphasizing that those involved in the riots would face consequences. She encouraged the Muslim delegates to share any information they might have on the individuals involved in the disturbances. Singh highlighted the urgency of apprehending the rioters to facilitate a return to normalcy in the affected regions, including the easing of imposed curfews.

Mohammad Azam Qadri, the city's Imam, also partook in the Peace Committee discussions. He appealed for the authorities to avoid unnecessary harassment of the innocent and advocated for the lifting of the curfew. While Qadri called for severe penalties for those guilty of rioting, he criticized the local administration, claiming that there was a lack of direct communication with him and other notable figures in the Muslim community during the crisis in Haldwani.

Following the disturbances in Haldwani, the local Municipal Corporation took a decisive step on Monday by issuing a financial demand to Abdul Malik, a prominent figure implicated in the recent upheaval. The authorities have billed Malik a hefty sum of Rs 2.44 crore as restitution for the destruction inflicted upon public assets during the tumult.

The calculated figure, representing the estimated cost of the damages attributed to Malik's actions, was formally requested to be paid to the Municipal Corporation of Haldwani by the deadline of February 15th. This request was made in response to the events that unfolded when Malik's followers reportedly confronted the demolition team at "Malik Ka Bagicha," leading to significant damage to municipal property. The altercation, which took place on February 8th, was significant enough to warrant an FIR naming Malik.

Law enforcement officials have accused Malik of orchestrating the unauthorized constructions on Nazool land, a government-owned property, and spearheading the resistance against their removal. This move by the Haldwani Municipal Corporation underscores the ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the conflict and the actions leading up to it.

In a detailed notice issued on Monday by the Haldwani Municipal Corporation to Abdul Malik, it was explicitly stated: "By attacking the teams of police and administration, your supporters have damaged, destroyed, and looted… properties of the Municipal Corporation and caused loss of government property. The above fact is confirmed by an FIR in which you have been named as an accused… According to the preliminary assessment, you have caused a loss of approximately Rs 2.44 crore by causing the incident in a planned manner."

The notice also mentioned Malik's obligation to reimburse the Municipal Corporation of Haldwani by February 15th. The breakdown of the demanded amount included Rs 2.41 crore for the damage to 15 vehicles and Rs 3.52 lakh for equipment damage.

In connection with the violence that erupted in Haldwani, Nainital, on Thursday, police have apprehended 30 individuals. Among these, 25 were arrested in a recent operation. The arrested include names such as Junaid, Mohammad Nizam, Mehboob alias Maku, Shahzad alias Kanakada, Abdul Majid, Shajid, Mohammad Naeem, Shahnawaz, Shakir Ahmed, Isharar Ali, Shanu alias Raja, Raees alias Bitt, Gulzar, Raees Ahmed, Farid, Javed, Saad, Tasleem, Ahmed Hasan, Shahrukh, Arjana, Rihan, Jishan, Muzammil, and Majid.

The recent turmoil in Haldwani resulted in a tragic outcome, with the police confirming on Sunday that five individuals lost their lives while many others sustained injuries. In the aftermath of the arrests made, authorities disclosed that a variety of homemade firearms and live ammunition were seized. The disturbances began last Thursday, following a governmental action to remove illegal structures in Banbhoolpura. The situation escalated quickly with instances of stone-throwing, vehicle arson, and a large group encircling the local police station, leading to an official order permitting law enforcement to use lethal force if necessary.

An article from the Indian Express highlighted Abdul Malik's engagement in the community, notably his efforts last year to offer pro bono legal support to those illegally residing on land owned by the Indian Railways in Haldwani. Malik extended his legal services at no cost to households in Banbhoolpura that received eviction notices following a directive from the Uttarakhand High Court. Ahrar Malik, a lawyer at the high court, was quoted in the report, indicating that Abdul Malik's assistance garnered significant community support for him.

Haldwani violence- Rioters were attacking after asking names and spared the Muslims: Journalist who suffered fractures in arm and leg

The aftermath of the violence in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, has left the community grappling with its consequences. A disturbing strategy was employed by the mob involved in the clashes; they targeted individuals based on their names, sparing those identified as Muslims. This tactic emerged during an aggressive episode where local infrastructure, including a police station and petrol stations, were set ablaze, and there were even attempts to immolate police officers.

The chaos was marked by severe physical assaults, with reports of stone-pelting and gunfire. Disturbingly, it is reported that female police officers faced brutal treatment, with allegations of their uniforms being torn in the fray.

Amid these harrowing events, a journalist, Pankaj Saxena from ‘HNN News,’ has come forward with his experience. Having sustained injuries that led him to seek medical treatment, Saxena shared insights into the mob's method of selectively targeting victims. According to his account to OpIndia, attackers would inquire about individuals' names before deciding whether to perpetrate violence against them, effectively sparing those with Muslim names from harm.

Pankaj Saxena, a journalist, suffered injuries during the unrest on February 8th, 2024, resulting in fractures in his arms and legs. With his leg now in a cast and his arm bandaged, Saxena recounts the harrowing experience. He was on the scene to report on the administration's efforts to dismantle an unlawfully constructed madrasa-mosque when violence erupted.

According to Saxena's account to OpIndia, he and his fellow journalists were there to document the activities of a demolition team. However, they walked into a volatile situation where a large crowd of 8-10 thousand had already assembled, seemingly prepared for confrontation. This assembly quickly escalated into violence, hurling stones and petrol bombs. Saxena noted a deliberate attempt to escalate the situation in the evening when the area was plunged into darkness due to a power cut, followed by renewed stone-throwing. He described the events as a coordinated attempt to inflict harm through the use of petrol bombs, leading to injuries among him and others as they attempted to escape the chaos.

Pankaj Saxena recounted a harrowing moment during the riot when attackers strategically encircled the victims, launching assaults from both sides. He detailed a particularly intense moment when, after being surrounded, the assailants began hurling stones from above. Saxena also confirmed the distressing treatment of female police officers during the chaos. Amidst this turmoil, he lost consciousness. Gratefully, he acknowledged the residents of Gandhinagar for their pivotal role in saving him by rushing him to the hospital. It was these community members who also aided many police and media personnel, providing assistance and clothing to female officers in distress.

Saxena shared that his medical expenses are being covered by the government. He highlighted a grim aspect of the riot—attackers singled out individuals by asking for their names, sparing many journalists recognized as part of their community. Reflecting on the personal stakes, he expressed relief at being rescued; otherwise, he feared, only his lifeless body would have been discovered. Currently facing mobility challenges, Saxena disclosed that he now depends on the support of others for walking, emphasizing the lasting impact of his injuries. Notably, he mentioned his concern for his 8-year-old son, underscoring the personal ramifications of the violence he survived.