Ghaziabad Social Activist Granted Armed Police Protection Following Violent Assault
In a significant development, the Ghaziabad police have deployed personal security for Saleem Wastik, a 55-year-old social activist known for his outspoken videos challenging fundamentalist ideologies. This protective measure comes as Wastik returned to his residence in Loni after spending a month in hospital recovering from a brutal stabbing attack.
Violent Attack and Subsequent Police Encounters
The incident traces back to February 27, when two brothers, identified as Zeeshan and Ghulfam, entered Wastik's Loni office on a motorcycle. According to police reports and CCTV footage, the assailants stabbed Wastik more than ten times in the abdomen and near the throat area. The attack was captured on surveillance cameras, showing a harrowing four-minute assault where the attackers used a paper cutter and broken glass from a table during the violent altercation.
Following the attack, Wastik was initially taken to a private hospital before being referred to GTB Hospital in Delhi and subsequently admitted to Max Hospital for specialized treatment. The police investigation led to two separate encounters: Zeeshan was killed in a police encounter in Loni on March 1, while Ghulfam met the same fate in Vasundhara on March 3. A magisterial inquiry into both encounters was initiated on March 17 and remains ongoing.
Security Arrangements and Current Condition
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Loni) Siddharth Gautam confirmed that Wastik's family formally requested police protection following his hospital discharge. After thorough review of the application, authorities assigned two armed gunners from the police line to ensure his safety. "The protection was provided based on a comprehensive assessment of the threat level and the circumstances surrounding the attack," stated ACP Gautam.
Family members revealed that Wastik sustained a particularly severe stab wound to the neck during the assault, which has temporarily affected his ability to speak following recent surgery. Medical professionals have confirmed he is now in stable condition, though they emphasize that full recovery will require additional time and rehabilitation.
CCTV Evidence and Investigation Details
The CCTV footage provides chilling details of the attack sequence:
- Wastik was reclining on a sofa watching videos on his phone when the helmet-wearing assailants entered
- After initial gestures for them to sit, one attacker produced a paper cutter and both moved to pin Wastik down
- The struggle intensified, breaking a glass table nearby, with one attacker using jagged glass pieces as additional weapons
- A woman witnessed the attack from outside but hesitated to intervene before the assailants fled
Additional evidence includes a 23-second video captured by a commuter showing the two attackers fleeing on a motorcycle with Delhi registration plates, their clothing visibly stained with blood. This footage was subsequently handed over to investigating authorities.
Background and Ongoing Concerns
Saleem Wastik has gained attention through his social media presence where he posts videos questioning fundamentalist practices and ideologies. The nature of his work and the violent response it apparently provoked have raised concerns about the safety of social activists in the region. The police protection arrangement represents a proactive measure to prevent any further threats to his security as he continues his recovery process.
The case continues to develop as investigators examine all aspects of both the original attack and the subsequent police encounters that resulted in the deaths of the alleged perpetrators. Authorities maintain that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure Wastik's safety while the judicial processes move forward.
