Bareilly Violence: IMC Chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan Arrested, Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody
Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh): A day after violent clashes erupted in Bareilly, police on Saturday arrested Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) president Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan along with eight others, accusing them of masterminding the unrest.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajay Kumar Sahni said that the violence was allegedly pre-planned for nearly a week, with Raza at the centre of the strategy. “An online toolkit was being used to circulate Raza’s videos, in which he called on people to assemble on the ground,” Sahni told reporters.
Judicial Custody and Security Measures
A local court remanded Raza and the others to 14-day judicial custody. He is being shifted to Fatehpur Jail, police confirmed. Meanwhile, heavy security deployment continued across Bareilly to prevent further escalation.
At Islamia Inter College — now deserted — policemen sat on plastic chairs with patrol vans stationed nearby. At Biharipur Chowki, just opposite the mosque, nearly 30 personnel stood guard with sticks and weapons, while narrow lanes leading off the main road had two to three policemen each.
How the Clashes Erupted
The tensions broke out on Friday afternoon, when police stopped a group attempting to march with placards reading “I Love Muhammad”. Officials said protesters turned aggressive, hurled stones, raised slogans, and in some cases allegedly opened fire.
According to police, the protest had been called by Maulana Raza following Friday prayers. An estimated 1,000 people gathered near a local mosque and attempted to move towards Islamia Ground before being intercepted.
DIG Sahni said: “So far, 49 people have been detained, and 11 FIRs have been registered. Maulana Raza has been named as the main accused in at least seven of them.”
Police March Amid Public Support
After announcing Raza’s arrest, DIG Sahni led a 3-km-long flag march across Kotwali markets with 50–70 police personnel. The procession passed through areas adorned with “I Love Mahadev” posters on poles and shop windows. Shopkeepers showered flower petals on police teams during the march.
Collateral Impact and SIT Formation
Among those injured in the lathi charge was a teenage boy, a student at a school managed by the IMC. His mother said he had gone out for namaz with friends but ended up hospitalised with head and chest injuries.
Police have also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to track down other IMC members who are absconding, including those who allegedly fired shots at officers.
Police and Administration Statements
In an official statement, Bareilly Police said that the IMC had called for a gathering at Islamia Ground on September 21, but authorities had denied permission both verbally and in writing.
“Some individuals, in violation of Section 163 of the BNSS, attempted to proceed towards Islamia Ground. Despite repeated warnings, a few miscreants attacked the police with stones. Officers responded with minimal force to disperse the crowd. Based on CCTV and video evidence, strict action will follow,” the statement read.
Bareilly District Magistrate Avnish Singh reiterated that all organisers had been advised against public gatherings under prohibitory orders.
“Despite the advisory, a few individuals attempted to gather after Friday prayers, leading to unrest at specific locations such as Khalil Tiraha, Navmela Masjid, and Shayamat Ganj,” he said.
Wider Context
The Bareilly incident comes in the wake of similar protests in other Uttar Pradesh cities. In Kanpur, tensions flared during the Barawafat procession to commemorate the Prophet’s birth. Police there registered an FIR, not for installing “I Love Muhammad” boards, but after allegations of religious posters being torn.
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