Over 70 rioters arrested after Prayagraj violence

Prayagrj, Jun 11: The Uttar Pradesh Police has detained Javed Ahmed, believed to be one of the masterminds behind the violence that broke out during a protest over a comment on Prophet Muhammad in Prayagraj on Friday. Prayagraj SSP Ajay Kumar said there could be more masterminds. "The anti-social-elements used minor kids to hurl stones at police and administration," he said. The SSP also said that the case has been registered under 29 crucial sections and action will be taken under Gangster Act and NSA (National Security Act).

 

 

 

On Friday, protests erupted in Prayagraj city over comments by a suspended BJP spokesperson on Prophet Muhammad. During the protests, they turned violent and put police vehicles on fire while resorting to stone-pelting in which three top district police officials including the District Magistrate were injured.

 

 

 

SSP Kumar today said that the police have made 70 names and over 5000 unnamed accused in the case - action will be taken against them under the NSA and Gangster Act. He also informed that names of some people from Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM have surfaced. The police are gathering evidence for the same, he said. "Javed's daughter who is a student in Delhi is also involved in such activities. If needed, we will contact Delhi Police and send our teams," he told the reporters. Earlier, Prayagraj DM Sanjay Kumar Khatri said that FIRs have been lodged and 68 people have been arrested so far. "Security forces deployed in large numbers," he said. Besides Prayagraj, protests had erupted in Saharanpur, Hathras, Moradabad, Ferozabad, and Ambedkarnagar. ADG Law & Order Prashant Kumar on Friday night informed us that a total of 136 accused had been arrested for the violence - 45 from Saharanpur, 37 from Prayagraj, 20 from Hathras, and 7 from Moradabad, 4 from Ferozabad, and 23 from Ambedkarnagar.

 

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SSP Saharanpur today said that the manner in which the crowd took to the streets after Friday namaz, it definitely seemed that some people had planned. He said the involvement of PFI hasn't come to the fore yet but can't be ruled out.