Deathly silence over stricken Yarabnagar

Bloody Sunday:

It was a curfew-like situation in Yarabnagar, soon after the news of Mohammad Ali’s murder spread. The police deployed additional forces to thwart any untoward incident. Shops and commercial establishments downed their shutters. Fear gripped the area and the situation turned tense.

The police blocked the Yarabnagar Road from both sides, soon after Ali’s body was taken to his residence after the post mortem at KIMS. Thousands of people rushed to the area, soon after Ali’s body reached his house.

The police could not control the crowd as more than a thousand people had gathered near Ali’s residence. Police personnel had been stationed near Ali’s office. Three to four policemen were stationed at every cross of Yarabnagar.

Ali’s relatives had a tough time reaching his house. Many of the neighbours climbed atop their houses to catch a glimpse of the body. Efforts were made in vain twice to take the body for burial. The burial could take place only hours later.

Hospital scene

The situation turned tense near Sagar Hospital where Kamaluddin and Umar, who were injured in the attack, were brought for treatment. A KSRP platoon was stationed immediately as hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital.

After the surgery, Dr Eshwarnath, general trauma surgeon at Sagar Hospitals, told reporters that both of them were out of danger. “It may take a couple of weeks for them to recover completely. Kamaluddin’s right thumb was chopped off. It was nearly 25 minutes late, when he was taken to the hospital. Hence, a surgery to rejoin the thumb may not yield results. Umar sustained injuries on his palms and hands. Both had injuries on their heads and were bleeding profusely. The nature of wounds suggest that sharp weapons were used for the attack. They did not sustain any bullet injuries,” he added.

Umar’s brother Usman told Deccan Herald that his mother had advised Umar not to associate himself with Ali, as he was a rowdy.

“He is in no way connected with Ali, but was a close friend of Ali’s brother Nayaz.” Usman claimed that the duo were injured trying to protect Ali.

Prayers on lips

Kamaluddin is Umar’s brother-in-law. Umar’s wife Tabassum and Kamaluddin’s wife Nazma Banu were seen praying for the speed recovery of their husbands. The police thoroughly checked a few rooms suggested by the hospital staff, where the duo could be treated, given the threat to their lives. Finally, they zeroed in on one of the rooms.