Following recent unrest in Bareilly, local authorities have launched a crackdown on illegal encroachments linked to Maulana Tauqeer Raza and his close associates.
On Saturday, teams from the Municipal Corporation and the Bareilly Development Authority reached Raza Palace, a marriage hall in the Zakheera area of the Qila locality, owned by Dr Nafees, a key aide of Tauqeer Raza.
Heavy police deployment, including PAC, RAF, and local police from multiple stations, was made at the scene to maintain law and order during the demolition. Bulldozers are expected to raze the structure, which locals claim spans over 1,000 square yards (around 10,000 sq. ft) and is valued at nearly Rs 5 crore.
Nafees and his son Farhan Raza Khan were previously arrested and sent to jail for allegedly inciting protests and threatening police officers. Nafees was accused of calling people to protest and issuing threats, including allegedly threatening to “cut off the hand” of a police inspector.
Earlier on Saturday morning, authorities also carried out a major anti-encroachment drive at Sailani Market, demolishing around 200 shops. The market was allegedly built over a long period through illegal tin sheds and temporary constructions. Although traders expressed anger, the heavy police presence ensured no major resistance.
Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Maurya stated, “Wherever encroachments are found, bulldozer action will be taken. Those who incite violence will not be spared under any circumstances.”
Nafees, who is also the National General Secretary and spokesperson of the All India Muslim Council (IMC), was taken into custody along with his son by Kotwali Police. This brings the total number of arrests related to the Bareilly violence to 81.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya revealed that the September 26 violence was pre-planned. According to him, the timing of the Juma (Friday) prayers was deliberately changed in mosques across the city to incite unrest. Typically held between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM, the prayers were reportedly conducted earlier, at 1:00 PM that day. Following prayers, large crowds began marching from Naumahla Mosque towards Islamia Ground, sparking tensions.
The SSP added that CCTV footage and surveillance from the I-TRIPLE-C Control Room are being analyzed to identify those involved. Preliminary investigations suggest that a video appeal to protest was circulated Friday morning and widely shared across WhatsApp groups.
It was found that Farhan operated the official IMC Facebook page, from where the protest appeal was uploaded and later deleted to mislead authorities.
Multiple arrests have since been made across Bareilly, including suspects identified as Shan, Mohammad Nadeem, Rizwan, and Aman by Baradari Police. Two additional suspects were arrested during an encounter on Wednesday morning.
The administration has reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and taking strong action against all those found guilty of inciting violence or trying to disturb peace.