A tense night unfolded in Haldwani’s Ujala Nagar area on November 16 after Hindu groups rallied around a rumour that a chunk of meat found outside a school gate was beef, triggering chaos, stone-pelting, and intimidation of local residents. The claim was later proven false through CCTV footage, according to police.
Police said the disturbance began when a passerby spotted a small piece of meat near the school entrance and someone quickly circulated the allegation that it belonged to a cow. “The rumour spread faster than we could reach the spot,” said Bhotiapadav SHO Sunil Joshi, noting that officers initially attempted to pacify the gathering crowd.
Within minutes, activists from several Hindu organisations assembled at the location, raising slogans and accusing the minority community of slaughter. Officers on duty tried explaining that the meat had not yet been identified, but the crowd grew increasingly agitated. Later, CCTV footage reviewed by the police showed a stray dog carrying the meat, officials confirmed.
Even after the clarification, a section of the crowd continued pelting stones at neighbouring shops and homes. “Some individuals simply refused to accept the facts,” said SP City Manoj Kathiyal, who added that police resorted to mild force to prevent the unrest from spreading. Additional security has been deployed across the neighbourhood.
Two FIRs have been filed: one against 40–50 unidentified people for rioting, vandalism and stone-throwing, and another based on a complaint by local Hindu organisation leader Ravindra Gupta alleging the presence of prohibited animal remains. Forensic experts have been brought in to examine the meat sample, though officials say preliminary visual checks do not indicate beef.
Residents from the Muslim community described the episode as another instance of targeted hostility fuelled by rumours. “It’s terrifying how quickly we become the accused without any evidence,” said Mohammad Rizwan, who lives near the school. “We fear that even a misunderstanding can put our families at risk.” Another resident, Asma Bano, said that the mob continued throwing stones even after the police announced the CCTV findings.
Local officers have increased patrolling and are taking statements from eyewitnesses and shopkeepers. “We want to ensure no innocent household suffers because of misinformation,” Kathiyal said.
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com. Read the full story here.
