Police lathicharge crowds during Bareilly protests violence over religious controversy
Bareilley: Police conducted lathicharge operations against crowds in three separate locations across Bareilly after violent demonstrations erupted following Friday prayers over the ‘I Love Mohammad’ controversy.
Officers chased and beat protesters who had gathered in response to Maulana Tauqeer Raza’s call for demonstrations at the city’s Islamia Ground. Subsequently, crowds descended onto the streets after Friday prayers and insisted on forcibly entering the designated ground.
According to police sources, authorities initially blocked the crowd’s access to the venue. However, the gathered demonstrators began vandalising property while chanting religious slogans and escalating their aggressive behaviour. Moreover, protesters started pelting stones at officers, with additional projectiles thrown from nearby rooftops.
Authorities responded with lathicharge tactics to regain control of the deteriorating situation. Additionally, disturbances occurred in the Baradari and Premnagar areas, prompting police to order market closures throughout the city.
Bareilly protests violence leads to detention of religious leader
Police detained Maulana Tauqeer Raza, who serves as president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC). Furthermore, Raza faces previous allegations of inciting riots in Bareilly during 2010, with the case still pending in court proceedings.
DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni reported that 95 per cent of worshippers peacefully conducted their prayers and departed without incident. Nevertheless, troublemaking elements arrived later and initiated stone pelting along with firing incidents. Police documented the entire sequence through comprehensive videography and photography.
District Magistrate Avinash Singh confirmed that certain individuals attempted to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. However, pre-deployed police forces, PAC personnel, and RAF units successfully dispersed all protesters from the area. Currently, complete peace has returned to the city.
Separately, violence also erupted in Mau district following Friday prayers over the same ‘I Love Mohammad’ controversy. Police there also resorted to lathicharge operations to disperse crowds who had begun organising processions.
In Mau, several individuals initiated an ‘I Love Mohammad’ procession despite police attempts to prevent the gathering. When officers tried restraining the group, participants refused compliance and continued shouting slogans. Consequently, police officers wielded batons against procession participants to scatter the assembled crowd and restore order to the area.
