New Dehli: A fact-finding team led by Association for Protection for Civil Rights (APCR) and Karawan-e-Mohabbat visited Haldwani on February 14 to investigate the violence that erupted after the Haldwani Municipal Corporation demolished Maryam Masjid and Abdul Razzaq Zakariya Madrasa on February 8. The team interviewed locals, eyewitnesses, and civil society members and documented evidence of police brutality, deaths, injuries, and arrests.
Death toll disputed
The fact-finding report stated that the violence resulted in the death of seven individuals, while the official claim was six. However, the local Muslims feared that the death toll may be higher than 20, as many people were missing or unaccounted for. The report also mentioned that 31 people were arrested and over 90 detained for questioning. An unnamed FIR was registered against 5000 individuals.
Commissioner's role questioned
The report alleged that the Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, who was transferred to another department but continued to serve in his position, was responsible for escalating the tensions. He abused the entire Muslim community, including misbehaving with the women, on the day of the demolition. His video also went viral on social media.
Demolition sparked protests
The report said that the demolition was initiated without prior notice, despite the local intelligence advising the administration to take action in the morning and take clerics and locals in confidence. The demolition was carried out by the police force, municipal corporation workers, sanitation workers, and bulldozers. The mosque and madrasa were technically under government possession as they were sealed.
The report added that a large number of women gathered to protest against the demolition and were subjected to mistreatment, including physical violence and forceful removal. The women were abused, manhandled, beaten, and dragged. The incident captured on video and in photos fueled anger among locals leading to clashes with the police who used mild force.
Police opened seal and fired
The report stated that amidst the chaos, the police opened the seal of the mosque and madrasa and did not follow the intelligence's instruction to submit the sacred books and other belongings to Mualana after inquiry. The police did not make the list of the holy Quran and other belongings kept there and also refrained from handing them over to the responsible authority. This resulted in religious sloganeering in rage, and stone-pelting from Muslims and consequently from the police.
The report also alleged that there was an aerial firing in broad daylight, contrary to the administrative statement that the firing order was for after darkness.
Report raises questions
The report questioned the administration's hurry to demolish the mosque and madrasa despite the impending hearing on February 14 in the High Court. It also asked why the Muslim community was not taken into confidence for the second time when they already cooperated at the time of sealing.
The report noted that the police actions during the demolition, including mistreatment of women, incited further violence leading to clashes and stone-pelting. The report demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and compensation for the victims.
