Bareilly remained tense following the September 26th violence that erupted after Friday prayers, with authorities taking action against properties allegedly linked to those accused of inciting the unrest. A marriage hall owned by Dr. Nafees Ahmed, considered a close aide of arrested cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, was razed by the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA). Officials stated the demolition was due to construction violations, while a Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation alleged that police are falsely implicating innocent people.
The demolished banquet hall, known as Raza Palace, was reportedly owned by Dr. Nafees, who has been arrested in connection with the violence. The BDA claimed the structure violated approved building norms, asserting the action was not targeted at any individual. According to reports, three bulldozers were used to demolish the illegal portions of the building before sealing the premises. District Magistrate Avinash Singh supervised the operation, with a large police contingent cordoning off the area. Electricity to the area was cut off as a precautionary measure.
The September 26th violence occurred after protesters, opposing FIRs related to "I Love Muhammad" posters, clashed with police when they were denied permission to hold a demonstration. Multiple injuries were reported, and police have registered 10 FIRs, booking hundreds of individuals. Over 70 people have been arrested, including cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan and several aides.
In response to the events, a Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation attempted to visit Bareilly to meet with affected families, but were stopped by the police. SP leaders alleged that police were trapping innocents in false cases and seizing their properties. They questioned the rationale for being stopped if the administration claimed normalcy had been restored. One SP MP, Iqra Hasan, described the situation as an "undeclared emergency," alleging that elected representatives were being treated like criminals. Mata Prasad Pandey, leader of opposition in UP assembly, said that an SHO told him to remain at home, and that the district magistrate warned his visit could disturb peace.
Authorities have stated that the situation in Bareilly is under control. UP minister JPS Rathore claimed that any opposition leaders attempting to visit Bareilly were doing so to "vitiate the atmosphere". He asserted that the government would not allow anyone to disrupt the peace and tranquility of the city.
Meanwhile, officials have identified other properties allegedly illegally constructed and linked to associates of Maulana Tauqeer Raza for potential further action. SSP Anurag Arya stated that 83 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and that authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to identify other individuals involved. Police have also arrested additional aides of Tauqeer Raza Khan following encounters, recovering weapons and ammunition.
