“Muslims have to show their strength, even if it means killing policemen…” Bareilly Police FIR reveals Tauqeer Raza’s plots

Bareilly: Police action is underway following the Friday riots in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The FIR names Maulana Tauqeer Raza, head of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, as accused number one. According to the FIR, Tauqeer Raza instigated the violence. The mob gathered at his call, shouting slogans and vandalizing, necessitating a lathi charge. Tauqeer Raza and his associate Nadeem, along with other officials, deliberately orchestrated the incident as part of a premeditated conspiracy.

Police FIR reveals
According to the Bareilly Police FIR, the violent mob was claiming that Tauqeer Raza had said that the atmosphere of the city must be disturbed today, even if it means killing policemen. Furthermore, criminals were invited to participate in the “I Love Mohammad” protest. People had come from other districts.

Some in the crowd chanted, “The only punishment for disobeying the prophet is to be severed from the head and body,” which incited the mob and led to violence. The crowd also raised objectionable slogans against the government. While chanting, they began chanting, “Maulana Tauqeer Raza has said, ‘Today we must disturb the atmosphere of the city, even if it means killing policemen, to make Muslims realize our power.'”

The FIR also mentions that the mob, which had gathered on Friday, fired at the police with illegal weapons with the intent to kill. They snatched and attacked police officers’ batons, and tore off their badges. Petrol bombs were thrown from glass bottles, injuring several officers. Police officers were even attacked with sharp weapons.

Internet service resumes today
Currently, mobile service, which had been suspended in Bareilly, has partially resumed. Wi-Fi and SMS services have been restored. Mobile internet service will also be restored in the afternoon.

Action taken against them
Police have so far arrested 49 people in the Bareilly violence case. 180 named and 2,500 unidentified individuals have been named as accused in 10 FIRs. The SSP stated that a total of 10 FIRs were registered in the case, including five at the Kotwali police station, two at Baradli, one at Prem Nagar, and one at Cantt. Among the named accused is Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who is accused of allegedly inciting the protests.