On the 7th of July, 2026, a sense of security swept over Meena Khatoon as Miles2Smile installed a CCTV camera and fortified gate in the house of Khatoon, a mother who lost her only son, Ayan Saifi on April 30, 2024.
Saifi, a 16-year-old boy, was, as alleged by the family, deliberately targeted by a group of young men over a prior brawl he was not involved in. The barbaric incident took place near a local park in Trilokpuri, an area dominated by the working-class locality in East Delhi that has witnessed tensions in the past. Saifi’s killing gave yet another jerk to the Muslim minority community.
According to the family, as many as seven men arrived at the park, surrounded Saifi and began attacking him with knives. Despite attempting to defend himself, Saifi was overpowered and suffered fatal injuries.
Shortly after this, he was rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. The family further allege that he was kept in the emergency ward for approximately half an hour without receiving proper treatment.
After a delay, Saifi was referred to AIIMS for further treatment; however, he succumbed to his injuries the next day. The family claims that the attack was launched based on an Instagram post that Saifi uploaded with an individual who was reportedly associated with the conflict that involved a local person who is famous by the name “Chunnu Vakil.”
As the incident unfolded, Meena Khatoon found herself battling with apprehension: flashbacks of incidents, nightmares, and fear of safety.
“I get really scared. I was thinking of installing CCTV cameras and a stronger gate at home so I’d feel more secure,” Khatoon shared with Miles2Smile.
Miles2Smile promised Khatoon to make her feel secure in her house and installed CCTV cameras and a fortified gate. Khatoon now sits in her home without the fear of security. The small gesture made her feel loved and seen.
About Miles2Smile: The Miles2Smile Foundation, established six years ago, is committed to making a meaningful difference in marginalized communities across India. From responding to the crisis during the pandemic to its continuous work in education and advocacy, the foundation remains devoted to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. The foundation work for the survivors of mob lynching, communal violence, demolition, and hate crime, creating their lives better than their devastation.
