‘Leave Within 24 Hours or Face Death’: Threatening Pamphlets Spark Fear Among Muslims in UP Village

Sikandrabad, Uttar Pradesh (Fikrokhabar News): Fear gripped Bhonkhera village in Uttar Pradesh’s Sikandrabad region after threatening pamphlets calling for the expulsion of Muslims began circulating earlier this month. The pamphlets, which warned Muslim residents to leave the village within 24 hours or be “burnt alive,” were reportedly found outside several Muslim homes on the morning of January 1, 2026.

The message, written in Hindi and containing abusive language and death threats, quickly spread on social media, alarming residents. The pamphlets carried inflammatory slogans and a name signed as “Kattar Sanatani Vikram,” though villagers say no such individual is known to live in the area.

According to residents, the discovery of the pamphlets turned an ordinary morning into one of fear and uncertainty. Sajid Ali, one of the villagers who found the pamphlet at his doorstep, said the threat left the community shaken. He described how neighbours gathered in shock, trying to understand who could have carried out such an act in a village known for peaceful coexistence.

Bhonkhera village is home to around 15 Muslim families, most of whom are related, living alongside a Hindu-majority population. Locals say both communities have lived together harmoniously for generations, with no history of communal conflict.

Following the incident, a formal complaint was lodged at the Sikandrabad police station. Based on the complaint, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on January 2, 2026, against unidentified persons. The case has been registered under Section 353(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with criminal intimidation and threats to public order.

Legal practitioner Mohd Haneef, who is assisting the affected families and is also the complainant in the case, said the pamphlet constitutes a direct and serious threat. He expressed concern over the lack of arrests so far, stating that such acts appear intended to disturb communal harmony in an otherwise peaceful village.

Despite police assurances of regular patrolling, residents say fear continues to dominate daily life. Elderly residents, women, and children have restricted their movements, and families remain on constant alert. Some villagers say one family member now stays awake at night to keep watch, while others avoid stepping out unless absolutely necessary.

Women residents expressed particular concern for children and working family members who must travel outside the village daily. Many said that while the written threat mentioned 24 hours, the sense of fear has not faded with time.

Police officials have stated that the pamphlets may be the work of miscreants and that efforts are ongoing to identify those responsible. Authorities maintain that the situation remains peaceful and under control.

The incident has renewed concerns among civil society groups about a growing pattern of anonymous threats, pamphlets, and intimidation targeting Muslim communities in parts of Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere, raising questions about safety, accountability, and the need for timely action by law enforcement agencies.

Source: Maktoob Media, police records, local residents