Amroha Village Reels in Shock After Brothers Killed in Police Encounters
Amroha: A profound sense of fear, anger, and disbelief has enveloped Said Nagli village in Amroha following the deaths of two brothers in separate police encounters earlier this week. The brothers, Gulfam Ali (28) and Zeeshan Ali (22), were suspected of allegedly slitting the throat of former Muslim YouTuber Saleem Wastik in his Ghaziabad office.
Eerie Silence and Tense Atmosphere During Ramadan
The family's modest home remained locked from the inside on Thursday as relatives mourned, while the typically bustling lanes of the village were shrouded in an eerie silence. Residents noted that the atmosphere during the holy month of Ramadan has never been this tense. "Ramadan is usually a time when people gather and pray together, but this time the atmosphere is heavy. People are in shock and not ready to believe that the brothers could do something like that," said Noor Mohammad, a local villager.
Locals Question Police Claims and Justice Methods
In hushed tones, many villagers have begun to question the veracity of the police's claims. One neighbor, who requested anonymity, pointed out financial inconsistencies: "The family barely earns Rs 10,000–15,000 a month. How could they afford a pistol worth Rs 2.5 lakh? If they had such a weapon, they would have shot Salim." Another resident expressed concerns about the justice system, stating, "If police had proof, they should have arrested them and presented them in court. Encounters only leave more questions than answers. It cannot become the only form of justice."
Family's Devastation and Lack of Criminal Record
Inside a small two-room house, the brothers' father, Buniyad Ali (58), lay on a cot, utterly devastated by the loss. "Our family has no criminal record for generations. Killing my two sons in an encounter makes it appear as if they were hardened criminals," he lamented. He added, "I don't have enough money to fight a court case against the system. My only focus now will be to look after Gulfam's two young children."
Community Fear and Simple Lifestyle
A neighbor, also requesting anonymity, highlighted the fear pervading the community. "Who will talk about this? The govt and police are targeting a particular community. People are scared to even discuss the case openly. The family always lived a simple life. They worked as carpenters and struggled to make ends meet. It is painful to see their name being linked with crime like this."
Police Confirmation and Case Background
Local police have confirmed that no criminal case was ever registered against any member of the family. Said Nagli SHO Vikas Kumar stated, "Both the brothers lived in Delhi-NCR for several years and visited home once in a month or two. The elder brother's family lived with them while their elderly parents lived here. No criminal case was found registered against them at the local police station."
The case stems from an attack on February 27, when two men allegedly slit the throat of Ghaziabad's ex-Muslim YouTuber Saleem Wastik in his office around 2 am. Wastik survived the attack and is currently undergoing treatment. Police have claimed that the two brothers were involved in the attack and were subsequently killed in separate encounters.
