The main suspect, Abdul Malik, has been apprehended in Delhi three days following the eruption of violence in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Malik is currently being interrogated by the authorities after being brought back to Haldwani.
The violence erupted on Thursday in Haldwani when local authorities initiated the demolition of an illegally constructed madrassa and prayer site situated in Bhanbhoolpura. This action was met with fierce resistance, resulting in the deaths of six rioters and injuries to around 100 individuals. It is alleged that Abdul Malik, along with his son and three others, including Jisan Parves, Javed Siddiqui, Mehboob Alam, and Arshad Ayub, were involved in these violent activities. The individuals are accused of various charges including rioting, arson, damaging public property, and obstructing public servants from performing their duties. Notably, Javed Siddiqui, identified through CCTV footage, is the brother of Samajwadi Party leader Matin Siddiqui.
Reports suggest that the violence may have been preplanned, and authorities are investigating the possibility of a conspiracy behind the unrest. The timing of the incident, occurring just hours after the Uttarakhand Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, adds complexity to the situation.
The police are scrutinizing over 5,000 individuals, including women, suspected of involvement in the violence. CCTV footage and mobile recordings are being carefully examined to determine the extent of each suspect’s participation. One particular video captures Abdul Malik engaging in a heated altercation with local officials, further implicating him in the incident.