The police in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly have so far arrested 81 people in connection with the September 26 violence, officials said on Wednesday, adding that internet services have been restored in the city after days of tension.
Earlier in the day, two persons allegedly involved in the September 26 violence were arrested following an encounter in the CB Ganj area, police said, as the crackdown continued on suspected rioters and its support providers.
Both the men sustained bullet injuries and are currently under treatment in police custody, a senior officer said. On Tuesday, the district chief of Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), Shamsad, and one suspect identified as Tajeem were arrested after separate encounters with the police.
IMC chief cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, some of his associates and at least one relative are also behind bars.
"Idrees and Iqbal, originally residents of neighbouring Shahjahanpur district, were actively involved in the violence that erupted in the Kotwali area last week," SSP Anurag Arya said on Wednesday.
"They were apprehended after a brief exchange of fire with the police. Both received bullet injuries during the encounter and were taken to the hospital for treatment. They are now in custody," he said.
According to the SSP, Idrees has 20 criminal cases registered against him, including those related to theft, dacoity, the Gangsters Act, and the Arms Act. Iqbal faces approximately 17 cases on similar charges.
Arya said a government-issued anti-riot gun, which had been snatched from police personnel during the violence, has been recovered from them. In addition, two illegal country-made pistols of .315 bore, spent cartridges, and live ammunition were also recovered from the scene.
He said both of them were in contact with Nadeem Khan, a known associate of IMC chief cleric Khan, who is already in jail.
"Nadeem had called them to Bareilly on the day of the incident. Both Idrees and Iqbal have a criminal background. Our preliminary investigation indicated the involvement of external and criminal elements in the September 26 incident, which has now been confirmed," Arya said.
He claimed that the violence appeared to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt law and order during a sensitive religious gathering.
"Our assessment and evidence indicate that these outsiders were mobilised to disturb peace during the event," Arya noted. An SIT (Special Investigation Team) is conducting a thorough probe into the incident.
"We have also arrested Nafees along with his son Farhan who have been sent to jail. Nafees and his son were actively involved in instigating the crowd through social media before and during the violence," Arya said.
The SSP also appealed to the public, stating, "No innocent person will be harassed or subjected to undue pressure. If anyone has concerns or grievances, they should immediately approach the police or local authorities. At the same time, no guilty individual will be spared, regardless of their position." District Magistrate Avinash Singh on Wednesday said that internet services have been restored in the district.
Singh added that around 80 accused persons have been identified in the case, and arms licences of half a dozen people are being cancelled.
"Action under the Goonda Act will be taken against those with criminal backgrounds. Such offenders will also face externment orders for six months, and strict measures will be made a precedent," he said.
Meanwhile, Salman Miyan, another family member of Tauqeer Khan, had his government-provided gunner withdrawn on Wednesday.
The actions follow violent clashes in Bareilly on September 26, when a crowd of over 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque in the Kotwali area after Friday prayers, leading to stone-pelting and injuries to police personnel.
The police remain on high alert, with a focus on monitoring social media for any inflammatory posts and appealing to the public to avoid spreading rumors and maintain peace The unrest was triggered by the cancellation of a proposed protest over the 'I Love Muhammad' poster row called by tauqeer Khan.
Police have so far registered 10 FIRs against 180 named and 2,500 unnamed persons, arresting Tauqeer Khan, his aides and dozens others.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also warned of strict action against the rioters.
On Tuesday, during a city visit post the violence, Uttar Pradesh government's minister in-charge for Bareilly, J P S Rathore, said, "No one is above the law. Miscreants will not be spared. Anarchy, illegal encroachments, or map manipulations will not be tolerated. Wherever irregularities are found, bulldozers and strict action will follow." Police and municipal teams, along with RAF and personnel from five police stations, on Tuesday demolished a garage belonging to Mohsin Raza near his residence, claiming it was built illegally on municipal and drain land.
Officials said the 12x14 ft structure had been under encroachment for 20 years. Mohsin, who resisted the demolition claiming a court stay, was arrested after scuffling with the police.
His resort was also sealed, as was Hamsafar Palace, a marriage lawn owned by Tauqeer Khan's aide Haji Sharafat Khan. So far, police have described Tauqeer Khan, Nafees, and Nadeem as the masterminds of the September 26 incident.
Properties worth around Rs 150 crore belonging to Tauqeer Khan's associates have been seized, police said.
Also among those arrested are Mohsin Raza, son-in-law of tauqeer Khan's elder brother Mannani Miyan. Another son-in-law, Oman Raza, a Samajwadi Party councillor, is absconding.
Earlier, accused Tajeem was injured in a police encounter and arrested. According to police, Shamsad played a key role in mobilising crowds on September 26, supplying petrol bombs and telling people that "Maulana Sahib has ordered that this time we must show our strength".
He allegedly left his mobile phone with Tauqeer Khan to avoid being tracked while executing the plan.
Investigators say Shamsad was also instrumental in earlier agitations, including the 2022 protests after expelled BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's controversial remarks and the Gyanvapi mosque verdict, when large crowds were mobilised at Tauqeer Khan's call.
He allegedly ensured nearly half the crowd's presence in the 2022 protests and openly supported Khan in confrontations with police, they said.
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