After Bareilly Riots, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Arrested, 31 Held, Thousands Under Police Probe

National News:  After violent clashes in Bareilly on Friday, the police have arrested Maulana Tauqeer Raza along with eight others. In connection with the unrest, 31 people have been taken into custody, and cases have been registered against 2,000 stone-pelters. Guns and petrol bottles were recovered from the site of the violence. Security forces are deployed across the city, and the situation is now under control. Markets remained empty today, and heavy police presence was seen near Maulana Tauqeer Raza’s house in Dargah Ala Hazratwali Lane. Most shops are closed, and locals are avoiding discussions about the riots.

Traders Still in Fear

Traders say that during yesterday’s riots and violence, they barely managed to save their lives and their shops, but they are still fearful. Traders have clearly demanded that strict action be taken against Maulana Tauqeer Raza and that he be sent to jail. Maulana Tauqeer Raza had also incited riots in 2010. Traders said that people are scared, and businesses have suffered significant losses. DM Avinash Singh and SSP Anurag Arya held a press conference. The DM stated that Tauqeer Raza had first been warned. He was also served a notice that no permission had been granted for a demonstration. Section 163 was invoked. A meeting was also held with the Maulana. A letter with signatures of Nafees and Nadeem was received stating that no program would take place, but later it was also denied.

Two to Three Thousand People in Different Groups

“We are in touch with both groups. Stones, knives, sticks, blades, bottles with petrol, and guns were recovered from the scene. For the past seven days, we had been communicating with these people, asking them not to hold such an event, but they did not listen at all. It is known that people also came from outside the district via WhatsApp. Two to three thousand people were in different groups. In some places, there were 100, in others 200, and in some, 300 people. All their previous cases will be investigated.”

22 Policemen Injured

The ASSP said that it has come to light that outsiders were involved in the violence. A person named Nadeem is also an accused and is currently absconding. His search is ongoing. Nadeem was in contact with many people via phone calls and WhatsApp. The Maulana has been sent to Bareilly jail for now. Twenty-two policemen were injured in the incident. Guns and cartridges were also recovered from the scene. A WhatsApp group had been created to call people for the demonstration, and people were added to it. Thirty-one people are in custody and are being interrogated. Regarding the “I Love Mohammad” campaign, sudden violence erupted in Bareilly yesterday, shaking the entire city. The tension that started in the afternoon gradually escalated significantly. At Shyamganj, Nawalty Turn, and Khalil School Turn, police and crowds came face to face. Stone-pelting and violence continued for several hours in large parts of the city.