Prophet comment row: UP Police arrests 316 individuals for Friday violence; Yogi points stern warning

By PTI

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Police has to this point arrested over 300 individuals from eight districts of the state, together with Prayagraj and Saharanpur, in reference to Friday’s violence throughout protests towards the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

In a press release issued right here on Sunday night, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar stated, “316 people have been arrested from eight districts of the state and 13 FIRs have been registered in this regard in nine districts.”

Giving district-wise particulars, Kumar stated, “92 people have been arrested in Prayagraj, 79 in Saharanpur, 51 in Hathras, 34 in Ambedkar Nagar, 35 in Moradabad, 15 in Firozabad, six in Aligarh and four in Jalaun.”

Of the 13 instances, three instances every have been registered in Prayagraj and Saharanpur, and one every in Firozabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Moradabad, Hathras, Aligarh, Lakhimpur Kheri and Jalaun, the senior officer stated.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has usually spoken of how beneath his rule the state has been rid of frequent riots, on Saturday issued a stern warning towards anti-social actions.

“Strictest action will be taken against the anti-social elements involved in the chaotic efforts to spoil the atmosphere in various cities in the past few days,” he stated whereas issuing directives to officers.

“There is no place for such anti-social people in a civilised society. No innocent should be harassed, but not a single guilty should be spared,” he stated.

ALSO READ | Prophet remarks row: Bulldozers raze ‘unlawful properties’ of protesters for second day in UP’s Prayagraj

In a tweet in Hindi, Mrityunjay Kumar, the media advisor to the chief minister, on Saturday had stated, “Unruly elements remember, every Friday is followed by a Saturday” and posted a photograph of a bulldozer demolishing a constructing.

Under Adityanath, the state administration has been cracking down on criminals and riot accused, seizing or razing their properties.

His critics have usually accused him of adopting strong-arm ways.

On Friday, individuals pelted stones at police personnel in Prayagraj and Saharanpur throughout their protests after Friday prayers in mosques.

At least 4 different cities witnessed related scenes in the course of the marches that have been carried out to protest the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad made by Nupur Sharma.

In Prayagraj, the mob had set on fireplace a couple of bikes and carts and in addition tried to set ablaze a police car.

Police used tear gasoline and lathis to disperse the protesters and restored peace.

A policeman was injured, based on officers.

Sharma was suspended by the BJP as a number of Islamic nations denounced her feedback on the Prophet throughout a TV debate.

In Saharanpur, protesters shouted slogans towards Sharma and demanded the dying sentence for her.

There have been protests in Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur and Lucknow as nicely.