Haldwani, In a distressing development from Haldwani, a city in the BJP-ruled state of Uttarakhand, hundreds of Muslim families have been forced to flee their homes. The exodus follows a series of violent incidents and alleged police brutality, particularly in the Malik Ka Bagicha locality, where a protest against the demolition of a madrassa and mosque turned deadly.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the turmoil began after authorities demolished religious structures on February 8, sparking protests by the local Muslim community. The situation escalated when police, reportedly accompanied by Hindu mobs, used excessive force against the protestors, including lathi charges, bullet firings, and tear gas shelling. Media reports indicate that six people lost their lives, with dozens more injured in the confrontation. The violence and harassment did not stop at the protests; Hindutva activists are said to have targeted Muslim-owned properties, exacerbating the fear and tension within the community.

The incident coincides with the Uttarakhand state government’s enactment of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a controversial move that introduces a common law for all citizens in personal matters, irrespective of their religious beliefs. The law’s implementation, a day prior to the protests, has been cited as a potential catalyst for the heightened tensions in the area.

Victims and witnesses have shared accounts of police conducting raids on Muslim households without warning, often in the early hours of the morning, leading to widespread panic and fear among the residents. Testimonies from those affected describe the police’s actions as relentless and brutal, with reports of vandalism, physical assault, and harassment forcing many to abandon their homes.

The once lively neighborhoods of Malik Ka Bagicha are now described as ghost towns, with empty streets and closed homes marking the absence of their inhabitants. The area, predominantly inhabited by Muslims, remains heavily barricaded, with restricted movement and limited access to media, underscoring the tense atmosphere and ongoing surveillance.

In the wake of the violence, families who have fled or are considering fleeing their homes call for a transparent investigation into the incidents that led to the tragic outcomes of February 8. Although curfew restrictions have been lifted, the reality on the ground speaks to a community under siege, with certain areas still under strict security measures.

The events in Haldwani underscore a growing crisis, as families seek safety away from a place they once called home, amidst calls for justice and accountability for the violence and loss they have endured.