In the midst of the chaos that engulfed Haldwani City in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand on Thursday, February 8, a harrowing incident unfolded as Islamists attacked a Hindu youth, Ajay, while he was en route to the market to get medicines for his mother.
The assailants targeted Ajay, shooting him multiple times, and leaving him in critical condition. As he fights for his life in the hospital, a poignant video has emerged on social media, capturing the anguish of Ajay’s family members as they recount the traumatic events of that fateful evening.
Islamist shot my son Ajay
He was innocent & was just passing through that area
He’s battling for her life in hospital
– Mother of #Haldwani victim pic.twitter.com/gvV1qP1mBP
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) February 9, 2024
According to Ajay’s brother, the attack occurred around 6 pm as Ajay was returning from the gym to fetch medicine for their ailing mother. Amidst the darkness, the identity of the perpetrators remains unknown, prompting desperate prayers for Ajay’s recovery and appeals to the local administration for assistance.
“We were at home at that time. He (Ajay) was coming from the gym and was getting medicines for my mother. It was around 6 pm. There was darkness all around,” the brother of Ajay stated.
A viral image depicts Ajay undergoing treatment, symbolising the brutality of the violence that has gripped the city. Santosh Kumar, Ajay’s uncle and the Head of the village, revealed in an exclusive conversation with OpIndia that Ajay resides in the Muslim-dominated Gafoor basti. On the day of the incident, Ajay had gone out to purchase Ayurvedic medicine for his mother from a Muslim practitioner.
Ajay, a poor scrap picker and sole earner of the family is battling for his life in the hospital
Ajay was shot yesterday by Islamists in #Haldwani. #HaldwaniIsBurning | #HaldwaniViolence | #HaldwaniRiots | #HaldwaniNews pic.twitter.com/1BSS645TWU
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) February 9, 2024
Recounting the ordeal, Kumar disclosed that Ajay sustained gunshot wounds in the lower abdominal area, causing critical spinal injuries. Despite the police presence, Kumar asserted that only the assailants were firing shots during the chaos.
“We do not know who shot my brother. I only pray to God that my mother gets fine,” he added.
Providing insight into Ajay’s condition, Kumar shared that doctors operated on him from 11 pm to 3:30 am, with all medical expenses being covered by the Uttarakhand government. Describing Ajay as a recently married man with a child, employed as a scrap dealer, Kumar emphasised the gravity of the situation.
In response to the unrest, authorities have deployed a significant police presence to maintain order and apprehend those responsible for the violence. The riots erupted as Islamists resorted to stone-pelting and arson, targeting authorities attempting to demolish a madrasa constructed on illegally encroached government land near the Banbhulpura police station.
The violence resulted in casualties and injuries, with police personnel and municipal workers bearing the brunt of the attack. The aftermath saw widespread destruction, including the torching of vehicles and infrastructure, plunging the area into darkness due to the destruction of a transformer.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the unrest, the district administration has implemented precautionary measures, including the suspension of internet services and the closure of educational institutions, while the state government remains on high alert to prevent further escalation of violence.
