A violent clash in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, left two Muslim youths injured after they were allegedly attacked by a group led by a man named Manish. The incident took place on Thursday and has triggered conflicting claims between the victims’ family and the local police.
The injured have been identified as Mohammed Azam, a shopkeeper, and Mohammed Wajahat, who works at the shop. Both suffered serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment.
According to the victims’ family, the attack began after objections were raised to alleged abusive comments directed at the Muslim community.
Family alleges assault over objection to communal remarks
The family of the victims claims the violence started when Wajahat objected to derogatory remarks allegedly made by Manish.
Mohammed Zeeshan, brother of Azam, said the confrontation escalated quickly after Wajahat protested.
“Wajahat was talking to someone when a man named Manish came and started abusing Muslims. When Wajahat opposed this, they started abusing him,” Zeeshan said.
He further alleged that the situation turned violent within minutes. “When Wajahat replied to his abuses, they started thrashing him. My younger brother came and asked why they were beating him up. Then 8-10 people pounced on him. After that, they brutally assaulted Azam,” he added.
Zeeshan also rejected claims of any previous dispute. “The accused lives in the nearby street of our cloth shop. They hit them with stones, pounced on them, and punched them,” he said.
He added that Azam was badly injured. “Azam suffered injuries to his lips, neck, and head and is in serious condition. There was no issue earlier. They were making abusive remarks and then attacked them.”
Police say incident linked to rent and property dispute
However, police in Aligarh have given a different version of events. According to officials, the clash was not related to communal remarks but to a dispute over shop rent and control of a local dharamshala.
A senior police officer said the fight broke out over financial and administrative control of the property.
“It is informed regarding the incident of a scuffle between two parties last night that there is a shop in a dharamshala under the Delhi Gate police station area, and there is a dispute between two parties over the chairmanship of the dharamshala,” said the Superintendent of Police (City).
The officer explained that both groups had been involved in a long-standing disagreement over rent collection.
“The Muhammad Azam party is the tenant in that shop, who have been continuously paying rent to one party,” he said.
He added that trouble began when another group tried to claim rent.
“When the other claimants to the chairmanship tried to collect rent from the tenant, a dispute arose between the two parties over this issue,” the officer stated.
Police confirm injury, begin legal action
Police confirmed that both victims were injured but described their condition as stable.
“In the dispute, the Muhammad Azam party sustained injuries, for which they were treated; the injuries are minor,” the officer said.
He also confirmed that a formal complaint has been received and legal action is underway.
“A case is being registered on the basis of the received written complaint. Further legal proceedings have been initiated,” he added.
The officer further stated, “This entire matter pertains to the rent and the ongoing dispute over the dharamshala’s presidency between the two factions. Legal action will be taken against all those who participated in the assault.”
