Tension and Fear Grip Ghaziabad’s Nahal Village Following Constable’s Killing During Police Raid
A heavy and unsettling silence now grips the narrow, dusty lanes of Nahal village in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. On a scorching Thursday afternoon, what was once a bustling locality stood eerily deserted.
The village, located around 14 kilometers from the Delhi-Ghaziabad Highway and not far from the scenic Masoori Lake, now seems like a ghost town in the aftermath of a violent incident that occurred earlier in the week.
Iron padlocks dangle from the gates of numerous homes, and windows are tightly shut, with families either gone or in hiding.
Except for two medical shops that remained open amid this desolation, nearly all commercial and residential establishments have pulled down their shutters.
Even the shop attendants at these pharmacies spoke only in hushed whispers, often casting nervous glances at the road — a path now frequently patrolled by police vehicles making continuous rounds through the lanes.
The Incident That Shook the Village
The quiet unease prevailing in the village follows a tragic and alarming event that unfolded late Sunday night. A team from Noida’s Phase 3 police station had carried out a raid in the village to apprehend Qadir, a 22-year-old known history-sheeter with a criminal background.
During the operation, the police team came under unexpected gunfire. In the ensuing chaos, Constable Saurabh Kumar, a 26-year-old member of the police force, was fatally shot.
While Qadir was successfully arrested during the raid, the police reported that the gunfire came from his associates. In response to the killing of Constable Kumar, the Ghaziabad Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Qadir, his brother, and multiple other unnamed individuals.
The charges include rioting, obstructing and assaulting public servants, and murder.
Police Crackdown and Widespread Fear
In the days following the incident, the police have launched a massive crackdown across Nahal. At least 14 individuals have been formally arrested so far, and another 42 people have been taken into preventive custody as part of ongoing investigations.
Among the arrested are five individuals taken into custody on Monday, including Nanhu and Abdul Salam, both of whom sustained gunshot injuries to their legs during what authorities described as a retaliatory encounter.
On Tuesday, Abdul Rehman, who is reportedly also wanted in connection with a separate murder case, was apprehended. He, too, suffered a bullet injury during his arrest.
As a result of these aggressive police actions, the entire village has been thrown into a state of panic and confusion. Locals claim that the scale and intensity of the operation have left innocent people vulnerable, sparking a mass exodus from the village.
“Nearly 400 families have already fled their homes, fearing arrest or harassment,” alleged a local medical shop owner who requested anonymity.
“They are arresting people indiscriminately. People have gone to stay with relatives in nearby towns or villages just to stay safe.”
Tasavvar Ali, the elected Gram Pradhan (village head) of Nahal, confirmed the gravity of the situation. “The village has a population of approximately 10,000 people,” he said.
“Of these, 95% are Muslims, while the remaining residents belong to Scheduled Castes. Everyone is terrified. I’ve spoken to the District Magistrate and other officials. I’m trying to find a way to restore calm and ensure justice, but people are feeling cornered and helpless.”
Ali further added, “It’s difficult to maintain trust when people are afraid that they could be picked up without cause. We want those who are responsible for the constable’s death to be punished, but innocent families should not be made to suffer in the process.”
Among the residents who claim to have suffered in the police crackdown is 65-year-old Babu Khan. Confined to a limp due to paralysis in his left leg, Khan recalled the traumatic events of the previous night.“Around 35 police officers broke into our home while we were asleep. They shattered the window panes and damaged the main iron gate,” he said.
“I was resting on the rooftop when both of my daughter-in-laws ran up in panic, calling out to me,” he continued. “As I was slowly making my way down the stairs, I encountered the police officers.
I tried to ask what was happening. One of them told me to stay silent, saying they were respecting my old age before pushing me aside. We want justice — but what about innocent people like us?”
Another incident raising concern among locals involves the alleged arrest of 28-year-old Mohammad Zubair, a Noida-based interior designer, who was reportedly taken into custody early Tuesday morning.
His wife recounted the ordeal with visible distress. “I was awakened by the sound of footsteps on our terrace. Before I knew it, several police officers had entered our house through the rooftop.
They came straight into our bedroom, where my husband was asleep next to me. They woke him up abruptly, asked him to put on his clothes, and took him away without explanation,” she said.
The absence of transparency in these detentions, combined with the ongoing police presence and lack of official communication to the villagers, has deepened the sense of anxiety in Nahal.
Families now live in constant fear, uncertain of who might be taken next or what the next day might bring.
The incident has also drawn sharp political reactions. Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his criticism.
“During the BJP government, there were earlier cases of police clashing with police — now it’s officers fighting among themselves,” Yadav posted, suggesting that the law-and-order situation in the state was deteriorating under the current administration.
While the death of Constable Saurabh Kumar has undeniably triggered a serious security and law enforcement response, the developments in Nahal village raise crucial questions about proportionality, due process, and civil liberties.
As the investigation continues and pressure mounts on police to identify all those responsible for the ambush, families in Nahal remain trapped between fear and uncertainty, hoping that the rule of law prevails not only in punishing the guilty but also in protecting the innocent.
