On Tuesday, 13 February, the police confirmed the death of another individual injured during the violence in Haldwani, bringing the total number of casualties to six. Nainital’s senior superintendent of police (SSP) Prahlad Narayan Meena stated that Mohammad Israr, aged 54, succumbed to a gunshot wound while receiving treatment at Sushila Tiwari Hospital.
Meena informed the press during a conference in Nainital that Israr’s body had been sent for post-mortem examination. This latest fatality adds to the tragedy of the clashes that erupted earlier this month.
Initially, authorities had reported five deaths following the violence on 8 February. However, with Israr’s passing, the death toll has been revised to six.
Previously, doubts had been raised regarding the sixth body found, which bore a bullet wound and was discovered a few kilometres away from the conflict zone. However, the SSP clarified that it could be linked to the incident.
In connection to the violence, the police have arrested six more individuals, bringing the total number of detainees to 36.
As tension remains high in Banbhoolpura, where the clashes originated, security has been intensified.
In Uttarakhand’s Banbhoolpura, municipal authorities demolished the Mariyam mosque and Abdul Razzaq Zakariya madrasa on February 8, citing illegal construction on government land. The demolition sparked clashes between locals and police. Police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced plans for a police station on the site, drawing further tension. Nainital Police established a temporary outpost at the location on Tuesday, underscoring ongoing tensions in the area.
