(in a dry, sarcastic tone, a la Jimmy Carr) Ah, lovely. Another delightful tale of riots, police brutality, and general mayhem. Just what I needed to brighten up my day. (pauses)
So, let’s get this straight. Mohammed Kaif, an 18-year-old lad, leaves for work on a Sunday morning, and his family never sees him again. Sounds like a typical Sunday, am I right? (smirking) I mean, who doesn’t love a good game of “Where’s My Son?” (chuckles)
But seriously, folks, this is no laughing matter. Kaif’s family is left to pick up the pieces, and his brother, Zaid, is injured, with a convenient case of “I fell down” syndrome. (rolls his eyes) Yeah, because that’s exactly what happens when the police come knocking… or, you know, breaking down doors. (smirks)
Now, let’s talk about the alleged “misbehaviour” on the part of the police. (in a mock-innocent tone) Oh, dear, dear, dear. It seems the police might have, maybe, possibly, used a bit too much force. Who would have thought? (heavy sarcasm) I mean, it’s not like they’re trained to handle situations like this or anything.
And then, of course, there’s the obligatory “We’re investigating” statement from the authorities. (in a bored tone) Oh, joy. Because we all know how effective those investigations usually are. (eyeroll)
Moving on, we have the tragic tale of Ayaan, a 17-year-old who left for work and never came back. His family is left to grieve, and his mother is left to wonder, “Who would have thought that the police would kill my young son?” (in a somber tone) Ah, yes, the classic “Who would have thought?” defence. (shakes head)
And let’s not forget about Baseem, who’s currently recovering from his injuries. His sisters are praying for his recovery, and his father is… well, his father is just trying to stay calm, I suppose. (in a dry tone) I mean, what’s a little police brutality between neighbours, right?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “This is all very tragic, but what about the police’s side of the story?” (in a mock-excited tone) Oh, wait, I know! They used “minimal force” with pellet guns, tear gas, and smoke guns! (sarcastic applause) Bravo, police! Bravo! (eye roll)
And finally, we have the district magistrate’s statement, which basically boils down to “We’re not really sure what happened, but we’ll get to the bottom of it… eventually.” (in a bored tone) Yeah, because that’s exactly what you want to hear when your son has been killed in a riot.
( Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean-esque voice) Ah, well, that’s all for now, folks. Just another day in the life of… (pauses, looks around)…well, I’m not quite sure where we are, but it’s definitely not a peaceful place. (chuckles nervously)
(Ricky Gervais’s voice) You know, it’s funny. We always talk about the importance of freedom of speech, but sometimes I think we forget about the importance of freedom from police brutality. (smirks) Just a thought.
(Lee Evans’s voice) And finally, let’s not forget about the human side of all this. I mean, these are people’s lives we’re talking about. Families torn apart, sons killed, brothers injured… (pauses, looks up) You know, it’s just… (shakes head)…it’s just bloody tragic, innit?
Sambhal Tensions: A Community in Mourning
Sunday’s Unrest Claims Four Lives and Leaves Many Injured
On Sunday morning, 18-year-old Mohammed Kaif left for work at a cosmetics shop in Sambhal’s market, never to return. His family’s desperate search for him ended in tragedy, as police officers arrived at their home in the evening with the devastating news of his demise.
As the news spread, Kaif’s family struggled to come to terms with their loss. His elder brother, Mohammed Zaid, lay injured on a bed, his arms and hands wrapped in bandages. Their mother, Aneesha, and wife, Farhana, tended to his wounds, their eyes red from crying. According to Aneesha, the police had stormed their home in Turtepura locality, detaining Zaid earlier that day. "They broke the door and took him away. Later, the men of the house went to the police station and begged the police to let him go, as his brother had died. They then released him," Aneesha recounted, her voice trembling.
A Community in Fear
As tensions escalate in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, the community remains gripped with fear. The violence on Sunday resulted in at least four deaths, including Kaif, and multiple injuries, including among police personnel. Over 25 people, including two women and several minors, have been detained, with Advocate Zafar Ali, the sadar of the mosque committee, among them. Seven FIRs have been lodged, and Sambhal Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, and the son of local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood, have also been booked.
A City Under Lockdown
The area around the Shahi Jama Masjid is heavily guarded by police, with internet services suspended and local authorities imposing prohibitory orders to maintain control. Sambhal SP Krishan Bishnoi confirmed four deaths in connection with the violence.
Eyewitness Accounts Contradict Official Claims
Local residents and families of the victims alleged that the police opened fire on the crowd, leading to the deaths. However, SP Bishnoi stated that police teams only used pellet guns, smoke guns, and tear gas to disperse the crowd. "We had strict orders not to fire on anyone. We are looking into the allegations, and post-mortems of the bodies are being conducted," he added.
Families Left to Mourn
For Nafeesha, the mother of 17-year-old Ayaan, who died during the riots, the loss is unbearable. "He had just started working at a hotel after completing his Quran studies. I shouldn’t have let him go to work that morning. Who would have thought that the police would kill my young son?" she sobbed.
Baseem, 18, is currently receiving treatment for his injuries, while his seven sisters pray for his recovery. His father, Nayeem, a rickshaw puller, is overcome with grief. "He was shot twice. I just want my son to come back alive," he said.
Unresolved Questions and Uncertainty
The violence in Sambhal has left many questions unanswered. For the families of the victims, the wait for justice seems interminable. As the community struggles to come to terms with their loss, the authorities must work towards a swift and impartial investigation into the incident, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
