Tense calm in Ghaziabad's Khoda as authorities seal madrassas after Surya Chauhan’s murder

Authorities on Tuesday intensified verification drives and sealed three unrecognised madrasas in Ghaziabad’s Khoda area following the killing of 17-year-old Surya Chauhan allegedly by his friend, who was killed in a police encounter. A tense calm prevailed in the locality, with many shops shut, including establishments run by members of both communities. Security personnel remained stationed across sensitive areas to maintain law and order. Amid the heightened security, Mrinalini Singh, daughter of former Union minister and current Mizoram Governor V K Singh, visited the family of the deceased class 11 student and assured them of support.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the family, Mrinalini said the killing has sent a wrong message to society. "The manner in which Asad befriended Surya and then allegedly killed him is wrong, even from the perspective of humanity. Justice will be done because there is God and there is also Yogi ji," she said, referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

She said local BJP leaders had been standing with the family since the incident and would continue to support them. Meanwhile, the district administration and police launched a three-day ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ in Khoda, involving verification of tenants, commercial establishments, unauthorised properties and suspected criminal elements. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar said three madrasas operating in the area were sealed after they were found to be functioning without recognition.

"During the verification drive, three madrasas were identified which were being run without registration with the Madrasa Board or the Minority Welfare Department," Kumar told reporters. He said joint teams of the police and the Minority Welfare Department carried out the sealing action. The official further said that details of children studying in these institutions would be collected, and arrangements would be made for their admission to nearby government or other recognised schools. The operation is being carried out jointly by police, officials from the Basic Education Department and the Minority Welfare Department, Kumar said.

A resident, Azad Saifi, who runs an internet service business in Khoda, told PTI over the phone that the actions of one person had brought disrepute to the entire community. "I did not know Asad or his family personally. A lot depends on how children are brought up. Parents should pay attention to their upbringing," he said. Saifi said some shops remained closed, but added that the administration's handling of the situation had generally been appropriate in view of the incident. A woman, whose husband runs a daily needs store, said they were okay with shops remaining closed to get justice for Surya’s family. Surya, a resident of Navneet Vihar in Khoda, was stabbed following an altercation on May 28. He later succumbed to his injuries at a Noida hospital.

Police have alleged that the main accused, Asad, along with his father, Nawab and associates, conspired to attack the teenager after a dispute over riding a motorcycle. But Surya’s family have alleged that he was killed over a dispute stemming from his refusal to watch a goat sacrifice on Bakrid. Asad, 19, who carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest, was killed in a police encounter on Sunday. His father, Nawab, and friends Farhan and Atif have been arrested in the case, while another accused remains absconding. On Monday, the administration pasted a notice on Asad’s house, alleging illegal occupation of the land and warning of possible demolition action if the occupants failed to respond within 15 days.