Police in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, said on Tuesday the violence during an I Love Muhammad protest on September 26 was preplanned, with a text message from an aide to cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan mobilizing crowds after he rejected an earlier peace message as fake.
The clashes erupted after Friday prayers when protesters gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and Raza's residence, leading to stone-pelting and injuries to 10 policemen, according to officials. Authorities imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita restricting movement and suspended internet services for 48 hours.
Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya said Nadeem Khan, a member of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council led by Raza, sent the text message directing supporters to assemble despite assurances to police that no demonstration would occur. "The incident was not spontaneous but premeditated," Arya said.
District Magistrate Nitin Bansal said representatives Nadeem Khan and Nafees met officials on September 25 and submitted a signed letter pledging peaceful prayers without protest. "The next morning, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan released a video message saying the signed paper and everything was fake, and that they would proceed as per their initial plan," Bansal said.
Raza, Khan and seven others were arrested on September 27, with 39 people detained in total, the officials said. Police filed 10 FIRs against 180 named individuals, including Raza, and 2,500 unidentified rioters on charges of rioting, inciting violence and hurting religious sentiments.
Authorities identified eight illegal properties linked to Raza's associates for demolition, including those of Nadeem Khan, the officials said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed strict action against those disturbing law and order.
Police expect to complete investigations within a week and file charge sheets. Officials from the Uttar Pradesh police were not immediately available for further comment on additional arrests.