Bareilly police on Tuesday said so far 73 persons have been arrested over the violence in the city.
BAREILLY — Authorities in Bareilly have identified eight allegedly “illegal” properties linked to associates of Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan for action, officials said on Tuesday.
The action follows violent clashes in Bareilly on September 26, when a crowd of over 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque in Kotwali area after Friday prayers.
The unrest was triggered by the cancellation of a proposed protest over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster row called by Khan.
Teams from the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) and the district administration carried out a joint drive in Faiq Enclave, Jagatpur, and the old city areas, they said.
The structures are alleged to have been built without approved maps, with some encroaching on government and ceiling lands.
Police claimed that Faiq Enclave has emerged as a hideout for criminals over the years.
Earlier, a premise linked to Saddam, brother-in-law of Atiq Ahmad, was sealed here. Now, connections of Tauqeer’s aides, Farhat and coloniser Mohammad Arif, with similar activities have surfaced, they said.
A BDA official said Arif and his associates had encroached upon government land, roads and ceiling areas. Hotels and lawns — Skylark, Fahm Lawn and Flora Garden — linked to Arif were sealed on Sunday for alleged illegal construction.
“Illegal constructions on government and ceiling land will not be spared. Strict action will be taken according to rules,” BDA Vice Chairman Dr Manikandan A said.
The Bareilly Municipal Corporation marked several shops, including those built atop Pahalwan Sahab Dargah, for demolition over illegal construction.
The administration is now preparing an FIR against Arif for road and land encroachment, he said.
The district administration has stepped up surveillance on Khan’s close network of associates and financiers, who are suspected of funding and strategising unlawful activities under the cover of community programmes.
Bareilly district magistrate (DM), senior superintendent of police (SSP), BDA vice chairman and municipal commissioner will oversee the operation.
The police have so far registered 10 FIRs against 180 named and 2,500 unnamed persons, arresting Khan, his aides and dozens others.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also warned of strict action against the rioters.
Internet services remain suspended in the district.
Meanwhile, Bareilly police on Tuesday said so far 73 persons have been arrested over the violence in the city, Additional SP Manush Praikh told reporters.
The officer said that those involved in the violence are being identified with the help of CCTV and drone footage. — With inputs from PTI
