The Uttar Pradesh police on Monday intensified their crackdown following violent clashes that broke out after Friday prayers in Bareilly.
The situation has taken a serious turn with the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, the President of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, and now two more of his close aides have also been taken into custody, police said.
Nadeem, considered Maulana Raza’s right-hand man, has been arrested by the police. Another close associate and former spokesperson, Nafees, was already detained earlier.
Nafees had previously made headlines for a controversial statement in which he allegedly incited violence against the police, saying officers’ hands should be cut off. Officials reported that after the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza and seven other accused on Saturday, strict security arrangements were put in place across Bareilly and nearby districts. Enhanced vigilance has been ordered in areas such as Rampur, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Moradabad, Budaun, Sambhal, Bijnor, Amroha, and Fatehgarh, where Raza enjoys significant support.
To monitor the law and order situation, top officials including ADG Ramit Sharma, Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S. Chaudhary, DIG Ajay Sahni, DM Avinash Singh, and SSP Anurag Arya have visited sensitive areas. Special police teams are actively identifying and arresting individuals involved in the clashes.
On Saturday night, SP (City) Manush Parik led an operation targeting those involved in stone-pelting and firing incidents. Authorities have confirmed that the crackdown escalated following a stern warning from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who stated that no one inciting violence in the name of faith would be spared.
Maulana Tauqeer Raza and the others were presented before the court on Saturday and have been sent to 14-day judicial custody. Raza has been transferred to Fatehgarh Central Jail. Security remains tight as investigations continue and further arrests are expected.