Asia Press Agency

Tag: Abdul Malik

  • Alleged Mastermind of Haldwani Violence Arrested

    Alleged Mastermind of Haldwani Violence Arrested

    Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind behind the violent upheaval that rocked Banbhoolpura in Haldwani on February 8, has been apprehended by the Uttarakhand Police. The arrest was made in Delhi, according to Inspector-General Nilesh Bharne, the spokesperson for the Police Headquarters (PHQ), as reported by news agency ANI. With Malik’s arrest, the total number of individuals detained in connection with the violence has reached approximately 80.

     

    Malik’s apprehension follows the filing of a fresh case against him and five others for fraud and criminal conspiracy related to the Haldwani violence. According to Nainital SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena, Malik and his wife Safia, along with four others, stand accused of fraudulently utilizing a deceased individual’s name for illicit land plotting, construction, and transfer. They allegedly conspired to deceive government departments and the court through false affidavits, stated a police official quoted by ANI.

     

    The accused have been charged under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 417 (cheating), and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as per police reports.

     

    Previously, three FIRs were lodged in connection with the violence, with a total of 78 arrests made thus far. The turmoil erupted following the demolition of an unauthorized madrasa in Banbhoolpura. In the ensuing chaos, rioters reportedly pelted stones and hurled petrol bombs at municipal workers and law enforcement personnel. The situation escalated to the extent that police officers sought refuge in a police station, which was subsequently set ablaze by the mob.

     

    The violent clashes resulted in the deaths of six rioters and left over a hundred individuals injured, including police personnel and members of the media, according to official sources.

     

    In addition to mastermind Malik’s arrest, the police have issued a lookout notice for his son, Abdul Moid, and seized the family’s property in the town. Malik, allegedly the builder of the illegal madrasa, vehemently opposed its demolition, prompting his wife to challenge the municipal corporation’s demolition notice in court.

     

    Furthermore, authorities have identified an NGO suspected of inciting the rioters by collecting funds. This revelation comes more than ten days after the violence shook Haldwani, underscoring the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to unravel the events and individuals responsible for the unrest.

  • Haldwani Unrest: Properties Seized by Police

    Haldwani Unrest: Properties Seized by Police

    The aftermath of the violence that rocked Haldwani on February 8th, following the demolition of an illegally built madrassa in the Banbhoolpura area, continues to unfold. Recent developments indicate that the police have initiated the confiscation of properties belonging to Abdul Malik and his son Abdul Moeed, who are alleged to be the masterminds behind the violence.

     

    The Haldwani Civil Court has issued orders to confiscate the properties of nine individuals, including Abdul Malik and his son, under sections 82 and 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Additionally, non-bailable warrants have been issued against all nine accused.

     

    As part of the enforcement action, the police have removed the doors and door frames of Abdul Malik and Abdul Moeed’s house. However, both individuals, along with seven other accused, remain absconding. Abdul Malik, who reportedly constructed the madrassa and vehemently opposed its demolition, is believed to have orchestrated the clashes.

     

    According to Uttarakhand Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar, 30 people have been arrested in connection with the violence in Haldwani so far. The clashes on February 8th resulted in the deaths of six individuals described as “rioters,” while over 100 people, including police personnel and media representatives, sustained injuries.

     

    A fact-finding team led by civil rights groups has characterized the violent incidents in Haldwani as the culmination of escalating communal tensions fueled by divisive rhetoric and policies. The team’s report highlights the anguish within the Muslim community triggered by the demolition of the sealed mosque and madrasa, despite the matter being sub judice.

     

    Criticism has been directed at the authorities for their handling of the situation, including the prolonged imposition of curfew and internet shutdown, which exacerbated the hardships faced by vulnerable residents, particularly women and children.

     

    The developments underscore the complex socio-political dynamics at play in Haldwani and emphasize the need for careful and sensitive interventions to address communal tensions and promote peace and harmony in the region.