Bareilly, Sep 27 (NationPress) DIG Ajay Sahni of Bareilly reported on Saturday that numerous individuals connected to cleric Tauqeer Raza’s organization, Ittehad-e-Millat Council, have surfaced in relation to the recent unrest in the city. Their names have been documented in the registered FIRs.

In remarks to IANS, DIG Sahni stated, “Following the violence yesterday, there have been 10 FIRs lodged and 39 individuals detained, including Tauqeer Raza, who has now been placed in judicial custody. We have seized weapons, bottles, and various items utilized in stone-pelting.”

He also disclosed that 22 police officers were injured during the incident and are presently receiving medical care.

“A week prior, Tauqeer Raza had called for a protest. He maintained regular communication, and multiple associates from his organization have been identified. Their names appear in the FIRs, and further investigations are ongoing,” Sahni elaborated.

Tauqeer Raza was apprehended on Saturday following the turmoil triggered by his endorsement of the 'I Love Muhammad' initiative in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Authorities noted that a significant crowd assembled outside his home due to a video he shared supporting the campaign. The crowd escalated, leading to heightened tensions in the vicinity. Raza has been placed in 14 days' judicial custody, with officials closely monitoring the situation to avert additional unrest.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a strong warning following the violence in Bareilly on Friday. He emphasized that those who incite riots will face consequences that will make future generations think twice before disturbing public peace.

During the Viksit Uttar Pradesh Vision-2047 event in Lucknow, CM Yogi remarked that a cleric in Bareilly had threatened to obstruct the city post-Friday prayers, yet “forgot who governs the state.”

The Chief Minister affirmed that his government will not permit curfews or blockades. “We have made it clear that there will be no blockades or curfews. We will instead correct their harmful tendencies,” he declared.

He further stated, “Previously, rioters were welcomed at the Chief Minister’s residence and honored. Criminal elements were allowed to dominate districts, and authorities even celebrated professional criminals. You must have seen numerous instances where those in power proudly shook hands with a mafia’s 'dog'.”

The CM accused former governments of establishing a system of “One District, One Mafia,” where local strongmen dictated administration, leaving ordinary citizens at their mercy.

“Agriculture has been devastated, youth employment has been auctioned off, and extortion rings have flourished. Their agents have sold government transfers and postings. We have decisively targeted these immoral practices, which is why their supporters are now in an uproar,” he stated.

He also suggested that prior to 2017, festivals frequently erupted into violence, but his administration has successfully curbed such disturbances.

“Sometimes it is necessary to correct bad habits firmly. Yesterday in Bareilly demonstrated that corrective action. The cleric assumed he could intimidate us, but we showcased the authority of the state,” Adityanath affirmed.

The Chief Minister noted that his government has deployed bulldozers against those who attempt to create divisions in society based on caste and religion.

“When corrupt individuals gain power, they misuse authority and exploit society. We have developed the bulldozer specifically for such circumstances,” he concluded.