Among the five dead in the Haldwani violence, which followed a demolition drive at a mosque and madrasa, is a 24-year-old from Bihar who had come to the district in search of employment. The body of Prakash Kumar Singh was found more than 2 km from the epicentre of the violence, with gunshot wounds to the head. “The body was recovered around 2-3 km from the spot… It could be a case of personal enmity. We will investigate who killed him and why,” said Nainital SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena, adding they are trying to ascertain what weapon was used in the murder. Speaking to The Indian Express, Prakash’s brother-in-law Ankit Kumar Singh said they learned of Prakash’s death only on Saturday, two days after the violence. Ankit, who lives in Noida, hurriedly travelled to Haldwani on receiving the news. “He went to Haldwani in search of work. He might have consulted someone before going. We do not have any family members there. He left Bihar on February 7 and reached next day. This was his first time there. He must have been clueless about everything. We think violence started soon after he got off the train and reached Banbhoolpura,” said Ankit. Prakash had just completed his Bachelor of Arts and was looking for a private sector job. He is survived by his parents and a younger brother. “His father is not in a situation to travel, so I came to collect his body. In Haldwani, the administration arranged an ambulance for me to take the body back to our hometown in Bihar. We left on Sunday around 3 pm and will reach there on Monday,” he said. SSP Meena said they will look into all deaths that took place during the violence. According to information provided by the district administration, the deceased have been identified as Singh, and Haldwani residents Faheem Qureshi (30), Zahid (45), his son Mohammad Anas (16), and Mohammad Shaban (22). The family of Faheem Qureshi has meanwhile alleged he was shot dead by neighbours when the violence was unfolding, after he objected to his vehicle being set on fire. SSP Meena said they will look into the allegations. The family of Zahid and Anas had told The Indian Express they both sustained bullet injuries when they ventured out to look for each other during the violence.
