Bareilly, Oct 1 (NationPress) The Senior Police Officer of Bareilly, Manush Pareek, provided insights on the violence that erupted in the district following the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign, which led to violent confrontations. He noted that although Namaz timings typically differ across locations, on the day of the incident (September 26), they were remarkably consistent throughout Bareilly.

In an interview with IANS, Pareek mentioned, "On the 26th, following Friday prayers, unrest broke out, resulting in 10 registered cases. To date, 81 individuals have been detained and jailed. Among them, three sustained leg injuries during the altercations. Additional suspects are being identified via CCTV and various video footage for apprehension."

"A notable observation is that Namaz timings, which usually vary, were nearly identical on September 26," the SP remarked.

In light of the disturbances following the 'I Love Muhammad' event, local police conducted a flag march to uphold law and order.

Earlier that day, Bareilly's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya stated that two more suspects related to the violence were arrested during an encounter. He assured the public that all individuals involved would face justice and emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.

"Two suspects were apprehended during the encounter and are currently receiving medical treatment. Their names are Idris and Iqbal. Idris has approximately 20 criminal cases against him, including theft and robbery, while Iqbal has 17 similar charges. During the operation, we seized an anti-raid gun, a revolver, and live ammunition from them," the SSP reported.

The riots in Bareilly erupted on September 26 after Friday prayers when a large group of individuals took to the streets with placards and posters stating “I Love Muhammad” while chanting slogans. The crowd was headed towards Islamia Ground and Khalil School Chowk.

Police instructed the crowd to disperse as they began chanting "Nara-e-Taqbeer," but the protesters refused to comply. Tensions surged, leading to unruliness among the crowd. Reports indicated that some individuals began throwing stones at the police, prompting a baton charge from the authorities.

The baton charge resulted in a stampede-like chaos in the area. During the unrest, rioters vandalized at least two motorcycles and targeted a local shop. Following police intervention, the crowd eventually dispersed, leaving behind slippers, shoes, and stones scattered over a 200-meter area near Khalil Tiraha.

On September 27, local cleric Tauqeer Raza, head of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, was detained. His endorsement of the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign had ignited unrest in Bareilly. Authorities reported a large crowd gathered outside his residence after a video supporting the campaign went viral, raising concerns of further disturbances.

Tauqeer Raza has been placed in 14 days of judicial custody as officials vigilantly monitor the situation to avert further escalations.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) condemned the detention of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan and others following the unrest in Bareilly. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Board called for their immediate release and criticized the Uttar Pradesh government’s management of the situation.