MORADABAD POLICE PUBLIC CLASH ON JULY 6, 2011 A FACT FINDING REPORT BY ASSOCIATION FOR PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

INDEX
Title 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Introduction: Locating Moradabad, Affected District Demographic, Socio-Economic Profile of the affected area Recent history of Communal Problems in the district The July 6, 2011 -Chain of events Media Coverage Interviews with the Local Administration, Villagers, Police, Victims and families of Victims Overall Findings Suggestions and Recommendations Team Members Page Number 3 3 4 4 6 8 19 20 20

INTRODUCTION: Locating Moradabad District

Moradabad is a city in Uttar Pradesh state of India. It was established in 1600 by Murad, the son of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan; as a result the city came to known as Moradabad. It is the administrative headquarters of Moradabad District. Moradabad is situated at a distance of 167 km (104 miles) from the national capital, New Delhi, at the bank of River Ram Ganga (a tributary to the great Ganges). The city is famous for its huge export of brass handicrafts to North America and Europe, and is also thus called "Brass City" or Peetal Nagri (in the local language).It has close to four million citizens of various ethnicities and religions.

populated villages are 1388. The total no. of Police Stations in the district are 26 out of which 9 are in rural area and 17 in the Urban area.

The Affected VillagesDingarpur, Asalatnagar Wagah, Asadpur, Nankar etc.

These all villages located 10-15 Kilometer South west direction from Moradabad District Headquarters on Moradabad Sambhal road. Population of this area is mostly dominated by Muslims.

Demographic, SocioEconomic Profile of the District

The geographical area of the Moradabad District is 3493 Sq. Km. Its Total population is 27,61,620 out of which males are 14,94,220 and females are 12,67,400. Of the total population, 18,77,570 constitute the rural population and the rest i.e. 8,84,040 makes the urban population.

Transport business supports the economy and livelihood of the area. Peoples are mostly truck drivers, daily wages labors, farmers or runs small business at the local market. Education level is very low. There are no standard educational institutions in the area.

Administrative divisions
The Moradabad District is divided into 6 Tehsils & 13 Blocks. Total no. of Nyay Panchayats in the district are 87 while Gram Sabhas stands at 883. The total

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

Recent history of Communal Problems in the district

There have been a number of riots and riot like situations in Moradabad in last three decades (1980-2011). In most of the time the Muslim community has been at the receiving end of the police violence. The July 6, 2011 violence indicates the same police behavior which has not changed at all. As the communal charged atmosphere in Moradabad is nothing new, the police being the primary law enforcement agency have learnt nothing from the past experiences.

console and control people. People became violent and attacked on public property, burnt the police jeep and some property at the local police station. 12:00-1:30 Peoples protested and road blocked at Dingarpur Village. Local Administration failed to console and control religious hurt sentiments of the local Muslim community. Police lathi charged to open road blockade. Mob became violent, burnt the police chauki at the village. D.I.G. coming to the Thana Manather with D.M. was caught at Dingarpur Village. Watching the situation getting out of control the D.M. returned to district headquarters but D.I.G was caught in the agitating crowd and he opened fire against the stone pelting villagers. DIG's firing critically injured four persons including two juveniles who have bed ridden sine 6th July 2011. Mob became more violent attacked on police officials causing serious injuries to D.I.G and others. 1:30-2:30 PAC called and curfew imposed at Dingarpur. Police behaves like hired goons. Police has brutally beaten children, women and senior citizen indiscriminately. They looted shops and destroyed houses and properties. Police arrested thirty eight persons including juveniles.

July 6, Chain of Events

7.00-7.30 am Police allegedly desecrated the Holy Book Quran in Asalatnagar Wagah during raid the house of Tasleem in search of Muslim, a 30 year person alleged to molest a girl living in the same village. 8.30-9.30 am The news of discretion of Quran reaches adjacent villages like Dingarpur and Nankar 10.00-11.00 am People join to protest against the discretion of Quran and road blockade at Asalatnagar Wagah demanding suspension of the culprit police officials. 11.00-11.30 Road Blockade opened with help of M. P. of the area and Police Administration assuring public to take action against the culprit police officials. 11:30-12:00 Peoples full of religious sentiments reached Manather Police Station demanding termination of culprit police officials. Administration failed to

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

A SCENE OF FAILURE OF LAW AND ORDER: PHOTOS PUBLISHED IN THE MEDIA

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE JULY 6, 2011 VIOLENCE

The media coverage of the incident was biased as none of them reflected on the police atrocities and the facts. Majority of the reports whether for Hindi (Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala etc) or for English (Indian Express etc) newspapers showed the villagers and the Muslim community as the perpetrators of violence and in a way portrayed the police atrocities as a response to that. This reporting however missed the issue of police desecration of the Quran and without meeting the community termed this desecration of the Holy book as a rumour. All the local media became mouthpiece of police officials. This was one of the major factors for Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) sending a fact finding team to understand what actually happened.

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

NEWS CLIPS PUBLISHED IN LOCAL MEDIA

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

INTERVIEWS WITH THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, VILLAGERS, POLICE, VICTIMS AND FAMILY OF VICTIMS
DM's Office - 12.45-1.15pm
The first meeting with the DM was at 1pm which continued for not more than 15 minutes. Mr. Sameer Verma is the new DM who has taken charge after the 6 July, 2011 Moradabad violence. He joined the office on 16 July 2011. DM seemed to support the police action against the juveniles saying that he had seen media clips of children pelting stones at the police. When we raised the question that women were beaten, shops and private properties are destroyed and looted by police officials, he demanded live video evidence and suggested us to complain in written. The next question was to get his response on the direct police firing and illegal arrest of innocent juveniles he refused to accept that this was the case. He was not at all ready to listen and accept that the police violated the basic human rights and attacked women and children and looted the property of villagers. The villagers seemed to be scared of any vehicle entering into their area. They suspected it to be a police vehicle. The team went to the very house where the holy book was allegedly thrown and kicked by a police official. The girl Noorjahan around 12 years of age studies in the Madrasaa Islamiyah, a madrasa located at the village masjid. She narrated the whole incident right from the arrival of the police to the alleged desecration of Koran. Sequence of the events as narrated by Noorjahan

7.00 am - Police team comprised of four

officials of which two were in civil dress and the other two were daroghas carrying guns. They entered the house and asked about Muslim, a man in his mid-30s who had allegedly molested and attempted to hurt a young girl (around 15 years of age) of the same village Police entered the house when Noorjahan was alone in the house .No lady police was with police team. They destroyed and broke all the things like Charpayi, Chulha boxes and desecreted the Holy Quran, when she complained, the police kicked The Holy Book and slapped her. She ran away from the house and when returned with her mother and villagers she found that Rs. 10,000 cash with some gold ornaments had been stolen by the police. Villagers supported her statements.

Asalatpur/Asalatnagar Wagah Village 1.30- 3.45 pm

Then the team left for Salatpur Wagah to meet the girl who was allegedly slapped when she objected to the desecration of the Holy Koran by police officials. When we reached the village, we saw a large number of villagers including children ran away from the village to the nearby jungle.

Note: No one has filed an FIR against the Police, largely due to the fear of police repression and also due to the fact that most of the villagers are illiterate daily wages laborers'.

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

Noorjahan (11), Asalat Nagar Wagha, POLICE BROKED EVERYTHING DURING SERACH

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

KEY POINTS-AFTER 1 MONTH OF INCIDENT

? Four people died in this village due to ? Four people have died including two

mental trauma of police atrocities and not getting proper care by their family members because most of youth were fled from the village and not returned yet due to fear of police repression.
? arrested on that day including 38 people

senior citizens and two children

? including young boys are in 38 people

jail

Women in the Village

? Bachon mein dehshat hai (The children

5 juveniles and one physically challenged from adjacent villages. All are in Moradabad Jail till the date.
? 6 F.I.Rs registered against 350-villagers

are terrified/ there is terror among children)

? Sare Anpadh hain (Everyone is illiterate

hence unaware)
? Admi Pareshan hain aur Dare Majdoor

under section of 147/148/149/436/ 332/353/427341/342 I.P.C and 3/4 Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act with 7 Of Criminal Law Amendment Act.

huye hain ( the village comprises largely of the labour class who have been in constant after this incident)
?Insaaf Chahiye ( We demand Humein

Other members of Village

A Group Discussion like situation

justice both for the culprits, the police and the victims, the poor villagers)
? Rihan Karen bekasoor bachhon ko ( We

demand the release of innocent children (juveniles) who are now in jail)
? dil mein dehsahat hai ki do Logon ke

hazar log arrest honge (people fear that a total of two thousand people would be arrested and anyone can be picked up by the police)
?hai humari zindagi par jab Lahnat

Key Points
? Terror inflicted on people ? At least 25% of people are away from

Koran Sharif ko beizzat kiya jaye (It's a shame for a Muslim to tolerate such illtreatment of the Holy Koran)

home
? class has suffered the most The labour

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Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

Fig. 1 & 2: MEETING WITH S.H.O MANATHER POLICE STATION Fig. 3: A GROUP DISCUSSION LIKE SITUATION AT ASALAT NAGAR WAGAH Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

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Police Station
4.00-5.20pm The key points that emerged during our discussion with the Manethar Police
? that the Police station is We found

? believe that the entire issue The police

has been politicized to gain electoral mileage.

? The discussion also hinted that the

opposition leaders have tried to incite violence.

? claimed to have the video The police

heavily understaffed hence all personnel are over worked.

? The police stressed that the Quran

footage of young boys' involvement in burning the police jeep.

? clarified that they have only The police

episode is a planted story and there is no truth in the claim of the girl.
? claimed that they respect all The police

religions and their holy books and have not done anything to wrong to the book Holy Quran.
? The police insisted that the girl

arrested 38 people on the day of violence and contrary to some rumors no one has been arrested.
? Police rejected the fear of the local

community fear that 2000 people have been identified and would be arrested.

(Noorjahan) has changed her version of the story (on the desecration of the holy book) at least three times.

Dingarpur and Nankar

5.30pm -9.30pm Profile of people interviewed and description of police violence is put in a table S. No.
1.

Name and Age

Saimeen (38)

Village
Dingarpur

Relationship to Description of What the Victim happened

Herself was the victim and her husband has been tortured by the police before he was sent to jail Saimeen was attacked and brutally beaten by male police. She is wife of Gram Pradhan Kamil who is also arrested and brutally beaten by police officials.He is still in Muradabad Jail. Tauseef (16) is in 11th standard and he was not at home. He had gone to his Bua's (father's sister,

2.

Taufik (father of Tauseef, 16)

Dingarpur

Father

12

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

aunt) place in Asadpur. He was arrested along with 2 friends, all juveniles.They all are in Muradabad Jail. 3. Suka (70) Dingarpur Self I am suffering from respiratory problem. They broke my door while entering. The police hit me on leg, hand and chest. I was unconscious for some time after that. They broke everything in my home. He was there in the crowd and was shot by the DIG. His condition has been very serious and he is under treatment in a Delhi hospital. My brother was arrested along with his friend Mohd Ali (35). Is in Muradbad jail since 6 July 2011 Was injured in the indiscriminate lathi charge by the police

4.

Hasnan

Dingarpur

Uncle (chacha) to Rehan who is not more than 14 years.

5.

Hasnan

Dingarpur

Brother of Manzoor Ahmad (40) Brother of Shakur Hussein Self

6. 7.

Zakir Hussein Sarwari (60)

Dingarpur Dingarpur

8.

Imran (30)

Dingarpur

Brother of Kamil When we both brothers reached Dingarpur there Pradhan were no violence, it was in fact over. Then 50 Jawans came to get my brother They beat him black and blue. They beaten my brother's wife and broken the motorcycle of my brother. School student Beaten black and blue

9.

Saddam Hussein (18)

Dingarpur

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

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and abusive language was used against him by the police.. 10. Mohd. Yusuf Dinaspur Son of Bholu Chowkidar (Small time shop owner) Brother Police Raid- They looted my shop and took away the 35, 000 cash in the shop. Accused of firing/setting alight the police vehicle at the police station. They entered my house and broke essential furniture's and food grains.

11.

Mohd Fukran, 55

Dinaspur

12.

Haji Budda, 57

Dinaspur

Self

13.

Mazhar Hussein

Dinaspur

Self and Brothers Mazhar Hussain-Named in F.I.R he was not present in the village he was present in Moradabad District Court in other matter. He showed evidence to the team. Self I was trying to make a peaceful intervention to stop the violence. I was beaten by the PAC, still stopped cameras to take pics. I have passed 10th this year. I was hit by a bullet from the back. It pierced my stomach and damaged my intestine. I have had three surgeries and my family has spent more than 1.5 lakhs. No authority has ever visited me after I was shot. Admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital Delhi -was on

14.

Mohd. Amir Raza (40)

Allahpur Bhikan

15.

Ghulam Rabbani (15)

Nankar

Self

16.

Rehan S/o Ahsan (14)

Dingarpur

Self

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Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

his way to market to purchase some necessary things when was caught in police firing. Severe injury at lower stomach. He is on bed since 6 July 2011. Father is a daily wages labour and has already spent Rs.35, 000. Total family members six including two boys and two girls. 17. Unanimous Dingarpur Maroof (21) BBA Student Studies in Tirthankar University.His laptop, desktop and internet modem were completely damaged by police beside several other household items It was difficult to go to schools Lived life in the police terror looming large everyday on poor villagers.

18. 19.

Mohd Kamran Ali (15 years) Mohd Sarfaraz (10th class student)

Dingarpur Dingarpur

School student Self School student

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

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GROUP DISCUSSION POINTS

Peoples are afraid of police .All boys and girls were out of village due to the fear of police and P.A.C. After one month still 25 % of boys and girls are not ready to return home. No business has taken place since then. The community of daily wages labours and truck drivers they have incurred an estimated loss of Rs. 10 million. Schools have remained closed during this period. Administration has not taken any action against the culprit police officials. It is clear that grievances redressal has not been taken care of and the blame game is continuing between the village community and the administration. Team Comment: This is a deadlock and has not led to any peaceful resolution of the issues, complains and grievances. Excessive use of police force has violated human rights of innocent villagers and this has not been recognized by the police and the administration. This is high time that the normalcy is restored with the joint effort of police and administration and the first step would be to suspend those who have desecrated the Quran and those who have brought physical and mental trauma to the community by severely beating innocent villagers and putting them behind bars.

INTERACTING WITH THE VICTIMS OF POLICE ATROCITIES AT DINGARPUR 16

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

Gulam Rabbani (14 ) resident of Nankar student of 10th standard injured by police bullet, was on the way to purchase some household materials. Family has spent up to Rs. One lakh. No aid received from anyone.

Rehan (14), resident of Dingarpur, injured by police bullet under treatment at Lok Nayak Hospital Delhi caught in the market purchasing some farming materials. His father is daily wages labour, has spent Rs 40000 yet. No aid received from anyone. He has 2 sons and two daughters in the family.

Properties destroyed by police personnel on 6th July, 2011

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

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PROPERTIES DESTROYED BY POLICE PERSONNEL ON 6TH JULY,2011

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Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

OVERALL FINDINGS
1. Desecration of Quran has some truth. Noorjahan statement was witnessed by neighbors' also. It was not only a rumor. When this news spread villagers blocked the national highway demanding suspension of culprit police officials. The fact is that first the mob jammed the main road and then attacked the police station as the administration failed to respond and console the hurt of religious sentiments of the people and could not satisfy their demands. The DIG got information about the incident. He was arriving at Mainather Police station but the mob stopped him on the way at Dingarpur village, Then DM of Moradabad who was also travelling with him, watching situation out of control he returned to District Headquarters but DIG was caught in the scuffle. DIG opened fire against stone pelting of the villagers which reportedly injured four youths including juveniles. Mob became more violent and attacked on police officials resulting serious injuries to D.I.G and others. Police in reaction behaved like hired goons. They have destroyed and looted shops, beaten women, juveniles and did not spare the senior citizens also. These all acts of violence by the police are beyond the law of the land. The Police have registered fake F.I.Rs against villagers and have arrested mostly innocent peoples. 5. 6. The violence has done severe damages to the local society and economy. Villagers have been living in fear and the children have been the worst affected. The police atrocities not been brought into limelight. Local media reported as mouthorgan of police officials. No FIR has been lodged yet against the police. No action taken against those culprit police officials who initiated the entire episode resulting in loss of property, Business, Police-community relations, communal harmony and the peace in the district. The DM is new and perhaps has done not enough study to understand the incident and it's after effects on the local people. Nevertheless in our discussion we expected him to give us a brief account on the role of the administration in the given situation. The team did not find him as an efficient administrator in this case.

2.

7.

3.

8.

9.

4.

10. The entire community in the nearby villages like Asalat Nagar Wagha, Dingarpur,Asadpur,Nankar etc. is living in constant fear of the police and this fear has seriously affected their daily life, living and maintenance of family life. Children have been without food, without education and without security for more than four weeks. Daily wage laborers and the farmers are the most affected.

Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

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SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. U.P. government should take proper action against the culprit police officials as their illegal and irresponsible action initiated the entire episode, resulting in loss of property, business, damaged police-community relations, communal harmony and the peace in the district. The Police and the local administration must be asked to submit their report in a time bound frame. Withdrawal of all F.I.Rs and immediate release of innocent villagers should be initiated. State Government should provide proper compensation to the affected villagers. 4. This case must be investigated by the National Human Rights Commission, National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and National Commission for Women (NCW) and should take proper actions of Human Rights Violations. Proper training must be provided to the police to deal with situations that can erupt due to hurt of religious sentiments & Police- community level meeting should be scheduled with the help of community leader to strengthen police-public relations as soon as possible.

5.

2.

3.

TEAM MEMBERS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. MR. SYED AKHLAK AHMAD Secretary Delhi Chapter-Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) MR. AFROZ ALAM SAHIL RTI activist and Founding Editor, Beyond Headlines (www.beyondheadlines.in) MR. DILNAWAZ PASHA Sub-Editor, Bhaskar.com (Dainik Bhaskar Group) MR. JAVED Advocate, Moradabad District Court MR. KAMALA KANTA DASH Research Scholar, Monash University, Australia and Founder President of Initiative for Nationalism, Secularism and Affirmative Action Network (INSAAN), Delhi

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Moradabad Police-public Clash on July 6, 2011: A Fact-Finding Report by APCR

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